Delta-9 fatty acid elongase genes and their use in making polyunsaturated fatty acids

ABSTRACT

Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding novel delta-9 elongases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these delta-9 elongases in plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of biotechnology, in particular, it pertains to polynucleotide sequences encoding delta-9 elongases and the use of these elongases in making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain PUFAs are important biological components of healthy cells and are recognized as: “essential” fatty acids that cannot be synthesized de novo in mammals and instead must be obtained either in the diet or derived by further elongation and desaturation of linoleic acid (LA; 18:2 ω-6) or α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3 ω-3); constituents of plasma membranes of cells, where they may be found in such forms as phospholipids or triacylglycerols; necessary for proper development (particularly in the developing infant brain) and for tissue formation and repair; and precursors to several biologically active eicosanoids of importance in mammals (e.g., prostacyclins, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, prostaglandins). Additionally, a high intake of long-chain ω-3 PUFAs produces cardiovascular protective effects (Dyerberg et al., Amer. J. Clin. Nutr. 28:958-966 (1975); Dyerberg et al., Lancet 2(8081):117-119 (1978); Shimokawa, H., World Rev. Nutr. Diet 88:100-108 (2001); von Schacky et al., World Rev. Nutr. Diet 88:90-99 (2001)). Numerous other studies document wide-ranging health benefits conferred by administration of omega-3 and/or omega-6 PUFAs against a variety of symptoms and diseases (e.g., asthma, psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, cancer).

Today, a variety of different hosts including plants, algae, fungi and yeast are being investigated as means for commercial PUFA production. Genetic engineering has demonstrated that the natural abilities of some hosts (even those natively limited to LA and ALA fatty acid production) can be substantially altered to result in high-level production of various long-chain ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs. Accordingly, production of arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4 ω-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 ω-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 ω-3) all may require expression of either the Δ9 elongase/Δ8 desaturase pathway (which operates in some organisms, such as euglenoid species, and which is characterized by the production of eicosadienoic acid (EDA; 20:2 ω-6) and/or eicosatrienoic acid (ETrA; 20:3 ω-3)) or the Δ6 desaturase/Δ6 elongase pathway (which is predominantly found in algae, mosses, fungi, nematodes and humans and which is characterized by the production of γ-linoleic acid (GLA; 18:3 ω-6) and/or stearidonic acid (STA; 18:4 ω-3)) (FIG. 1).

The Δ8 desaturase enzymes identified thus far have the ability to convert both EDA to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA; 20:3 ω-6) and ETrA to eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA; 20:4 ω-3) (wherein ARA are EPA are subsequently synthesized from DGLA and ETA, respectively, following reaction with a Δ5 desaturase, while DHA synthesis requires subsequent expression of an additional C_(20/22) elongase and a Δ4 desaturase; FIG. 1).

Based on the role Δ8 desaturase enzymes play in the synthesis of, e.g., ARA, EPA and DHA, there has been effort to identify and characterize these enzymes. Initial efforts on the isolation and characterization of Δ8 desaturases from Euglena gracilis and several sequence variations within the Euglena gracilis Δ8 desaturase have been reported (see, e.g., Wallis et al., Arch. Biochem. and Biophys. 365(2):307-316 (1999); PCT Publication No. WO 2000/34439; U.S. Pat. No. 6,825,017; PCT Publication No. WO 2004/057001). Also, Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0195939 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,033 disclose amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a Euglena gracilis Δ8 desaturase. In other work, commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/635,258 and 11/951,697 describe a synthetically engineered mutant Δ8 desaturase, derived from Euglena gracilis. PCT Publication No. WO 2005/103253 discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a Δ8 desaturase enzyme from Pavlova salina (see also U.S. Publication No. 2005/0273885). Sayanova et al. (FEBS Lett. 580:1946-1952 (2006)) describes the isolation and characterization of a cDNA from the free living soil amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii that, when expressed in Arabidopsis, encodes a C₂₀ Δ8 desaturase. Also, Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/737,772 discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a Δ8 desaturase enzyme from Pavlova lutheri (CCMP459) whereas U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0095915 discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a Δ8 desaturase enzyme from Tetruetreptia pompquetensis CCMP1491, Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 and Eutreptiella cf _(—) gymnastica CCMP1594. Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/099,799 discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a Δ8 desaturase enzyme from Euglena anabaena.

Based on the utility of expressing Δ8 desaturases in conjunction with Δ9 elongases, there has also been effort to identify and characterize Δ9 elongases from various sources. Most Δ9 elongase enzymes identified so far have the ability to convert both LA to EDA and ALA to ETrA (wherein DGLA and ETA are subsequently synthesized from EDA and ETrA, respectively, following reaction with a Δ8 desaturase; ARA and EPA are subsequently synthesized from DGLA and ETA, respectively, following reaction with a Δ5 desaturase; and DHA synthesis requires subsequent expression of an additional C_(20/22) elongase and a Δ4 desaturase; FIG. 1). A Δ9 elongase from Isochrysis galbana has been publicly available (described in GenBank Accession No. AAL37626, as well as PCT Publication No. WO 02/077213). Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0118929 discloses a Δ9 elongase from Eulgena gracilis. Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0117190 discloses a Δ9 elongase from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389. Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/102,979 (filed Apr. 15, 2008) discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a Δ9 elongase enzyme from Euglena anabaena.

Most delta-5 desaturase enzymes identified so far have the primary ability to convert DGLA to ARA, with secondary activity in converting ETA to EPA (where DHA is subsequently synthesized from EPA following reaction with an additional C_(20/22) elongase and a delta-4 desaturase). The delta-5 desaturase has a role in both the delta-6 desaturase/delta-6 elongase pathway and the delta-9 elongase/delta-8 desaturase pathway (FIG. 1). Furthermore, based on the role delta-5 desaturase enzymes play in the synthesis of e.g., ARA, EPA and DHA, there has also been an effort to identify and characterize these enzymes from various sources. As such, delta-5 desaturases have been disclosed in both the open literature (e.g., GenBank Accession Nos. AF199596, AF226273, AF320509, AB072976, AF489588, AJ510244, AF419297, AF07879, AF067654 and AB022097) and the patent literature (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,972,664 and 6,075,183). Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0271632 discloses a 45 desaturase from Peridinium sp. CCMP626 whereas Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0292924 discloses a Δ5 desaturase from Euglena gracilis. Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/111,228 (filed Apr. 23, 2008) discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a Δ5 desaturase enzyme from Euglena anabaena.

Applicants' Assignee has a number of patent applications concerning the production of PUFAs in oleaginous yeasts (e.g., Yarrowia lipolytica), including: PCT Publication Nos. WO 2004/101757 and WO 2004/101753; U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0115881, 2006/0094092, and 2006/0110806; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/061,738 (filed Apr. 3, 2008).

Relatedly, PCT Publication No. WO 2004/071467 (published Aug. 26, 2004) concerns the production of PUFAs in plants.

Despite the disclosures cited above, there is a need for additional genes encoding polypeptides having Δ9 elongase activity as it is mainly through genetic variation that a wide variety of host cells may be optimized for PUFA production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicants address the stated need herein by reporting the isolation of novel genes encoding Δ9 fatty acid elongases.

The present invention concerns an isolated polynucleotide comprising: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, wherein said polypeptide has at least 70% sequence identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; or (b) a full-length complement of the nucleotide sequence of (a).

In a second embodiment, the invention concerns a recombinant DNA construct comprising any of the isolated polynucleotides of the invention operably linked to a regulatory sequence.

In a third embodiment, the invention concerns a cell comprising in its genome the recombinant DNA construct of the invention.

In a fourth embodiment, the invention concerns a plant comprising in its genome the recombinant DNA construct of the invention.

In a fifth embodiment, the invention concerns a transgenic seed comprising in its genome the recombinant DNA construct of the invention or a transgenic seed obtained from a plant made by a method of the invention. Also of interest is oil or by-products obtained from such transgenic seeds.

In a sixth embodiment, the invention concerns food or feed incorporating an oil or seed of the invention or food or feed comprising an ingredient derived from the processing of the seeds.

In a seventh embodiment, the invention concerns a method for transforming a cell, comprising transforming a cell with the isolated polynucleotide of the invention.

In a eight embodiment, the invention concerns a method for producing a plant comprising transforming a plant cell with the isolated polynucleotide of the invention and regenerating a plant from the transformed plant cell.

In an ninth embodiment, the invention concerns an isolated polypeptide encoded by the isolated polynucleotide of the invention.

In a tenth embodiment, the invention concerns the isolated polynucleotide of the invention comprising:

-   -   (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9         elongase activity when expressed in a plant of at least 27%         conversion of oleic acid to eicosenoic and/or linoleic acid to         eicosadienoic acid and/or α-linoleic acid to eicosatrienoic         acid, or     -   (b) a full-length complement of the nucleotide sequence of (i).

In an eleventh embodiment, the invention concerns a method of screening for polypeptides having increased Δ9 elongase activity, increased Δ5 elongase activity, and/or decreased Δ6 elongase activity comprising: (a) providing a first polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity and/or Δ5 elongase activity and/or Δ6 elongase activity; (b) measuring baseline Δ9 elongase activity and/or Δ5 elongase activity and/or Δ6 elongase activity of the first polypeptide; (c) recombining the first polynucleotide of (a) with at least one variant form of said first polynucleotide to produce a second polynucleotide having at least one nucleotide difference from the first polynucleotide; (d) measuring Δ9 elongase activity and/or Δ5 elongase activity and/or Δ6 elongase activity of the polypeptide encoded by said second polynucleotide; and (e) comparing the activities of (b) with the activities of (d) whereby greater activity of (d) compared to (b) for Δ9 elongase activity and/or Δ5 elongase activity is indicative of increased activity for Δ9 elongase and/or Δ5 elongase and lower activity of (d) compared to (b) for Δ6 elongase activity is indicative of decreased activity of Δ6 elongase.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the invention concerns progeny plants obtained from a plant made by the method of the invention or an oilseed plant of the invention.

In a fourteenth embodiment, the invention concerns a method for producing at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid in an oilseed plant cell comprising: (a) transforming an oilseed plant cell with a first recombinant DNA construct comprising an isolated polynucleotide as disclosed herein, operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence and at least one additional recombinant DNA construct comprising an isolated polynucleotide, operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence, encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a Δ4 desaturase, a Δ5 desaturase, a Δ6 desaturase, a Δ8 desaturase, a Δ12 desaturase, a Δ15 desaturase, a Δ17 desaturase, a Δ9 desaturase, a Δ9 elongase, a C_(14/16) elongase, a C_(16/18) elongase, a C_(18/20) elongase and a C_(20/22) elongase; (b) regenerating an oilseed plant from the transformed cell of step (a); and (c) selecting those seeds obtained from the plants of step (b) having an altered level of polyunsaturated fatty acids when compared to the level in seeds obtained from a nontransformed oilseed plant.

Another embodiment is for an isolated polynucleotide comprising: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, wherein said polypeptide has at least 90% sequence identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:77, provided that said polypeptide does not have the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; or (b) a full-length complement of the nucleotide sequence of (i).

A further embodiment relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising:

-   -   (i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9         elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, said polypeptide         having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and provided that         said polypeptide has a modification to SEQ ID NO:2 selected from         the group consisting of:         -   (a) at amino acid residue number 5, substitution of             alanine (A) with valine (V),         -   (b) at amino acid residue number 9, substitution of             proline (P) with leucine (L),         -   (c) at amino acid residue number 62 substitution of glutamic             acid (E) with aspartic acid (D),         -   (d) at amino acid residue number 79, substitution of             leucine (L) with methionine (M),         -   (e) at amino acid residue number 80, substitution             isoleucine (I) with of leucine (L),         -   (f) at amino acid residue number 106, substitution of             phenylalanine (F) with tyrosine (Y),         -   (g) at amino acid residue number 110, substitution of             histidine (H) with tyrosine (Y),         -   (h) at amino acid residue number 117, substitution of             isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),         -   (i) at amino acid residue number 130, substitution of             tyrosine (Y) with phenylalanine (F),         -   (j) at amino acid residue number 138, substitution of             glutamic acid (E) with glutamine (Q),         -   (k) at amino acid residue number 162, substitution of             isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),         -   (l) at amino acid residue number 169, substitution of             methionine (M) with leucine (L),         -   (m) at amino acid residue number 171, substitution of             methionine (M) with leucine (L),         -   (n) at amino acid residue number 174, substitution of             lysine (K) with arginine (R),         -   (o) at amino acid residue number 191, substitution of             isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),         -   (p) at amino acid residue number 208, substitution             tyrosine (Y) with tryptophan (W),         -   (q) at amino acid residue number 213, substitution of             leucine (L) with methionine (M),         -   (r) at amino acid residue number 237, substitution of             phenylalanine (F) with leucine (L),         -   (s) at amino acid residue number 242, substitution of             isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),         -   (t) at amino acid residue number 253, substitution of             methionine (M) with leucine (L),         -   (u) at amino acid residue number 276, substitution of             isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),         -   (v) at amino acid residue number 277, substitution of             threonine (T) with alanine (A),         -   (w) at amino acid residue number 287, substitution of             methionine (M) with leucine (L),         -   (x) at amino acid residue number 297, substitution of             lysine (K) with arginine (R); and         -   (y) a combination thereof;     -   (ii) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9         elongase activity and/or Δ5 elongase activity and/or Δ6 elongase         activity, said polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity         to the polypeptide of (i), provided that the polypeptide of (ii)         has at least one of the modifications of (i); or     -   (ii) a full-length complement of the nucleotide sequence of (i)         or (ii).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND SEQUENCE LISTINGS

The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings and Sequence Listing, which form a part of this application.

FIG. 1 is a representative omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid pathway providing for the conversion of myristic acid through various intermediates to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

FIG. 2 is a comparative amino acid alignment between the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase (SEQ ID NO:4), the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (SEQ ID NO:2), and a selection of the gene products of the invention (SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, and SEQ ID NO:30) using the Clustal V method (Higgins, D. G. and Sharp, P. M., Comput. Appl. Biosci. 5:151-153 (1989); Higgins et al., Comput. Appl. Biosci. 8:189-191 (1992)) using the MegAlign™ v6.1 program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.) with the default parameters for pairwise alignment (KTUPLE=1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5 and GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10).

FIG. 3 shows the % identity of the amino acid sequence of a selection of the novel delta-9 elongases of the invention (SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, and SEQ ID NO:30) and the amino acid sequence of the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase (NCBI Accession No. AAF70417.1; SEQ ID NO:4) versus the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (SEQ ID NO:2). Sequence percent identity calculations performed by the BlastP and Clustal V method.

FIG. 4 shows the % delta-9 elongation, defined as ((20:1+20:2+20:3)/(18:1+18:2+18:3+20:1+20:2+20:3))*100 of ten soybean events (top 40 somatic soybean embryos per event) transformed with vectors described in Table 4, versus a control soybean event ((2055/wt M. alpina) expressing M. alpina delta-6 elongase SEQ ID NO:2).

FIG. 5 is a representative fatty acid pathway showing the Δ9 elongation activity of the polypeptide of the present invention when expressed in soybean.

FIG. 6 shows a summary of the total delta-9 elongation activity for each event (average of 5 embryos) from MSE2175 (MaD6ES) and MSE2176 (MaD9elSHFL-4). In FIG. 6, delta-9% conversion activity (delta-9% conversion) is calculated as ([ERA+EDA+20:1+DGLA+ETA+ARA+EPA+SCI+JUP+DPA]/[ERA+EDA+20:1+DGLA+ETA+ARA+EPA+SCI+JUP+DPA+OA+LA+ALA]*100).

FIG. 7 shows a summary of the total delta-5 elongation activity for each event (average of 5 embryos) from MSE2175 (MaD6ES) and MSE2176 (MaD9elSHFL-4). The delta-5% conversion activity (delta-5% conversion) represents the elongation of EPA to DPA and is calculated as ([DPA]/[EPA+DPA]*100).

FIG. 8 is a comparative amino acid alignment between the delta-9 elongase from Euglena anabaena (SEQ ID NO:80), the delta-9 elongase from Isochrysis galbana (SEQ ID NO:81), the delta-9 elongase from Eulgena gracilis (SEQ ID NO:82), the delta-9 elongase from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 (SEQ ID NO: 83), a selection of the gene products of the invention (SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, and SEQ ID NO:30) and the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase (SEQ ID NO:2) using the Clustal V method (Higgins, D. G. and Sharp, P. M., Comput. Appl. Biosci. 5:151-153 (1989); Higgins et al., Comput. Appl. Biosci. 8:189-191 (1992)) using the MegAlign™ v6.1 program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.) with the default parameters for pairwise alignment (KTUPLE=1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5 and GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10).

FIG. 9 shows the percent identity of the amino acid sequence of the delta-9 elongase from Euglena anabaena (SEQ ID NO:80), the delta-9 elongase from Isochrysis galbana (SEQ ID NO:81), the delta-9 elongase from Eulgena gracilis (SEQ ID NO:82), the delta-9 elongase from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 (SEQ ID NO: 83), a selection of the novel delta-9 elongases of the invention (SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, and SEQ ID NO:30) and the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase (SEQ ID NO:2).

The sequence descriptions summarize the Sequences Listing attached hereto. The Sequence Listing contains one letter codes for nucleotide sequence characters and the single and three letter codes for amino acids as defined in the IUPAC-IUB standards described in Nucleic Acids Research 13:3021-3030 (1985) and in the Biochemical Journal 219(2):345-373 (1984).

SEQ ID NO:1 is nucleotide sequence of the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase, codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (MaD6ES).

SEQ ID NO:2 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

SEQ ID NO:3 is the nucleotide sequence of the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase (NCBI Accession No. AF206662.1 (GI:7861835) locus AF206662, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97 (15), 8284-8289 (2000)).

SEQ ID NO:4 is the amino acid sequence of the Mortierella alpina delta-6 elongase (NCBI Accession No. AAF70417.1 (GI:7861836), locus AAF70417, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97 (15), 8284-8289 (2000)).

SEQ ID NO:5 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 004-3.1b-f2.

SEQ ID NO:6 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 (clone 004-3.1b-f2).

SEQ ID NO:7 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 006-2.1b-e11.

SEQ ID NO:8 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 (clone 006-2.1b-e11).

SEQ ID NO:9 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 009-2.1b-h9.

SEQ ID NO:10 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 (clone 009-2.1b-h9).

SEQ ID NO:11 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 010-2.1b-c3.

SEQ ID NO:12 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11 (clone 010-2.1b-c3).

SEQ ID NO:13 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 012-2.1b-d5.

SEQ ID NO:14 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 (clone 012-2.1b-d5).

SEQ ID NO:15 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 014-3.1b-F1.

SEQ ID NO:16 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 (clone 014-3.1b-F1).

SEQ ID NO:17 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 027-2.1b-e9.

SEQ ID NO:18 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 (clone 027-2.1b-e9).

SEQ ID NO:19 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 046-3.1b-C2.

SEQ ID NO:20 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 (clone 046-3.1b-C2).

SEQ ID NO:21 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 051-3.1b-B5.

SEQ ID NO:22 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 (clone 051-3.1b-B5).

SEQ ID NO:23 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 052-3.1b-C9.

SEQ ID NO:24 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23 (clone 052-3.1b-C9).

SEQ ID NO:25 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 062-3.1b-C5.

SEQ ID N0:26 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 (clone 062-3.1b-C5).

SEQ ID NO:27 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 077-3.1b-B1.

SEQ ID NO:28 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 (clone 077-3.1b-B1).

SEQ ID NO:29 is the nucleotide sequence of a gene product of the present invention, clone 078-3.1b-B4.

SEQ ID NO:30 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 (clone 078-3.1b-B4).

SEQ ID NO:31 is the nucleotide sequence of pY115.

SEQ ID NO:32 is the nucleotide sequence of the Isochrysis galbana delta-9 elongase codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (IgD9ES).

SEQ ID NO:33 is the nucleotide sequence of pKUNF1-KEA_HD.

SEQ ID NO:34 is the nucleotide sequence of pY116.

SEQ ID NO:35 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pBY1.

SEQ ID NO:36 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 027-2.1b-e9/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:37 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 077-3.1b-b1/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:38 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 046-3.1b-c2/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:39 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 052-3.1b-c9/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:40 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 078-3.1b-b4/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:41 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 014-3.1b-f1/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:42 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 051-3.1b-b5/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:43 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 062-3.1b-c5/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:44 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS366.

SEQ ID NO:45 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS120.

SEQ ID NO:46 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS367.

SEQ ID NO:47 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS374.

SEQ ID NO:48 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS375.

SEQ ID NO:49 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS380.

SEQ ID NO:50 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS382.

SEQ ID NO:51 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS383.

SEQ ID NO:52 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS384.

SEQ ID NO:53 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS385.

SEQ ID NO:54 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS386.

SEQ ID NO:55 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pLF128.

SEQ ID NO:56 is the nucleotide sequence of the MaD9elSHFL-4 elongase of the present invention described in example 11.

SEQ ID NO:57 is the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56.

SEQ ID NO:58 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pY183.

SEQ ID NO:59 is the nucleotide sequence of the Euglena gracilis delta-8 desaturase (EgD8).

SEQ ID NO:60 is the nucleotide sequence of the Mortierella alpina delta-5 desaturase (MaD5).

SEQ ID NO:61 is the nucleotide sequence of the Saprolegnia diclina delta-17 desaturase (SdD17)

SEQ ID NO:62 is the nucleotide sequence of the Fusarium monoliforme delta-15 desaturase (FmD15).

SEQ ID NO:63 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pKR1230.

SEQ ID NO:64 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pKR1231.

SEQ ID NO:65 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pKR1232.

SEQ ID NO:66 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pKR954.

SEQ ID NO:67 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 004-3.1b-f2/pY116

SEQ ID NO:68 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 006-2.1b-e11/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:69 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 009-2.1b-h9/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:70 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid 010-2.1b-c3/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:71 is the nucleotide sequence of 012-2.1b-d5/pY116.

SEQ ID NO:72 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS369.

SEQ ID NO:73 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS370.

SEQ ID NO:74 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS371.

SEQ ID NO:75 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS372.

SEQ ID NO:76 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid KS376.

SEQ ID NO:77 is the nucleotide sequence of the Mortierella alpine delta-6 elongase, with possible modifications noted.

SEQ ID NO:78 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pKR952.

SEQ ID NO:79 is the nucleotide sequence of plasmid pKR325.

SEQ ID NO:80 is the amino acid sequence of the Euglena anabaena delta-9 elongase (EaD9Elo1, Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/102,979).

SEQ ID NO:81 is the amino acid sequence of the Isochrysis galbana delta-9 elongase (GenBank Accession AAL37626; GI:17226123).

SEQ ID NO:82 is the amino acid sequence of the Euglena gracilis delta-9 elongase (Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0118929).

SEQ ID NO:83 is the amino acid sequence from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389. (Applicants' Assignee's co-pending U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0117190).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure of each reference set forth herein is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a plant” includes a plurality of such plants, reference to “a cell” includes one or more cells and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

The present invention relates to novel delta-9 elongase enzymes and nucleic acids. These are useful for, inter alia, for the manipulation of biochemical pathways for the production of PUFAs. PUFAs, or derivatives thereof, made by the methodology disclosed herein can be used as dietary substitutes, or supplements, particularly infant formulas, for patients undergoing intravenous feeding or for preventing or treating malnutrition. Alternatively, purified PUFAs (or derivatives thereof) may be incorporated into cooking oils, fats or margarines formulated so that in normal use the recipient would receive the desired amount for dietary supplementation. The PUFAs may also be incorporated into infant formulas, nutritional supplements or other food products and may find use as anti-inflammatory or cholesterol lowering agents. Optionally, the compositions may be used for pharmaceutical use (human or veterinary). In this case, the PUFAs are generally administered orally but can be administered by any route by which they may be successfully absorbed, e.g., parenterally (e.g., subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously), rectally, vaginally or topically (e.g., as a skin ointment or lotion).

Supplementation of humans or animals with PUFAs produced by recombinant means can result in increased levels of the added PUFAs, as well as their metabolic progeny. For example, treatment with EPA can result not only in increased levels of EPA, but also downstream products of EPA such as eicosanoids (i.e., prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes). Complex regulatory mechanisms can make it desirable to combine various PUFAs, or add different conjugates of PUFAs, in order to prevent, control or overcome such mechanisms to achieve the desired levels of specific PUFAs in an individual.

The present invention concerns an isolated polynucleotide including a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide including Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, but not limited to these activities. In order to create PUFAs with increased DPA a Δ5 elongase activity is desirable, in addition to the Δ9 elongase activity.

In the context of this disclosure, a number of terms and abbreviations are used. The following definitions are provided.

“Open reading frame” is abbreviated ORF.

“Polymerase chain reaction” is abbreviated PCR.

“American Type Culture Collection” is abbreviated ATCC.

“Polyunsaturated fatty acid(s)” is abbreviated PUFA(s).

“Triacylglycerols” are abbreviated TAGs.

The term “fatty acids” refers to long-chain aliphatic acids (alkanoic acids) of varying chain lengths, from about C₁₂ to C₂₂ (although both longer and shorter chain-length acids are known). The predominant chain lengths are between C₁₆ and C₂₂. Additional details concerning the differentiation between “saturated fatty acids” versus “unsaturated fatty acids”, “monounsaturated fatty acids” versus “polyunsaturated fatty acids” (or “PUFAs”), and “omega-6 fatty acids” (ω-6 or n-6) versus “omega-3 fatty acids” (ω-3 or n-3) are provided in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757.

Fatty acids are described herein by a simple notation system of “X:Y”, wherein X is number of carbon (C) atoms in the particular fatty acid and Y is the number of double bonds. The number following the fatty acid designation indicates the position of the double bond from the carboxyl end of the fatty acid with the “c” affix for the cis-configuration of the double bond (e.g., palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1, 9c), petroselinic acid (18:1, 6c), LA (18:2, 9c, 12c), GLA (18:3, 6c, 9c, 12c) and ALA (18:3, 9c, 12c, 15c)). Unless otherwise specified, 18:1, 18:2 and 18:3 refer to oleic, LA and ALA fatty acids, respectively. If not specifically written as otherwise, double bonds are assumed to be of the cis configuration. For instance, the double bonds in 18:2 (9,12) would be assumed to be in the cis configuration.

Nomenclature used to describe PUFAs in the present disclosure is shown below in Table 1. In the column titled “Shorthand Notation”, the omega-reference system is used to indicate the number of carbons, the number of double bonds and the position of the double bond closest to the omega carbon, counting from the omega carbon (which is numbered 1 for this purpose). The remainder of the table summarizes the common names of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and their precursors, the abbreviations that will be used throughout the remainder of the specification, and each compound's chemical name.

TABLE 1 Nomenclature of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Common Abbre- Shorthand Name viation Chemical Name Notation Myristic — tetradecanoic 14:0 Palmitic PA or hexadecanoic 16:0 Palmitate Palmitoleic — 9-hexadecenoic 16:1 Stearic — octadecanoic 18:0 Oleic — cis-9-octadecenoic 18:1 Linoleic LA cis-9,12-octadecadienoic 18:2 ω-6 γ-Linolenic GLA cis-6,9,12- 18:3 ω-6 octadecatrienoic eicosenoic — cis-9-eicosenoic 20:1 Eicosadienoic EDA cis-11,14-eicosadienoic 20:2 ω-6 Dihomo-γ- DGLA cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic 20:3 ω-6 linolenic Sciadonic SCI cis-5,11,14-eicosatrienoic 20:3b ω-6 Arachidonic ARA cis-5,8,11,14- 20:4 ω-6 eicosatetraenoic α-Linolenic ALA cis-9,12,15- 18:3 ω-3 octadecatrienoic Stearidonic STA cis-6,9,12,15- 18:4 ω-3 octadecatetraenoic Eicosatrienoic ETrA or cis-11,14,17- 20:3 ω-3 ERA eicosatrienoic Eicosa- ETA cis-8,11,14,17- 20:4 ω-3 tetraenoic eicosatetraenoic Juniperonic JUP cis-5,11,14,17- 20:4b ω-3 eicosatrienoic Docosatrienoic DRA cis-10,13,16- 22:3 ω-6 docosatrienoic Docosa- DTA cis-7,10,13,16- 22:4 ω-6 tetraenoic docosatetraenoic Docosa- DPAn-6 cis-4,7,10,13,16- 22:5 ω-6 pentaenoic docosapentaenoic Eicosa- EPA cis-5,8,11,14,17- 20:5 ω-3 pentaenoic eicosapentaenoic Docosa- DPA cis-7,10,13,16,19- 22:5 ω-3 pentaenoic docosapentaenoic Docosa- DHA cis-4,7,10,13,16,19- 22:6 ω-3 hexaenoic docosahexaenoic

A metabolic pathway, or biosynthetic pathway, in a biochemical sense, can be regarded as a series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell, catalyzed by enzymes, to achieve either the formation of a metabolic product to be used or stored by the cell, or the initiation of another metabolic pathway (then called a flux generating step). Many of these pathways are elaborate, and involve a step by step modification of the initial substance to shape it into a product having the exact chemical structure desired.

The term “PUFA biosynthetic pathway” refers to a metabolic process that converts oleic acid to LA, EDA, GLA, DGLA, ARA, ALA, STA, ETrA, ETA, EPA, DPA and/or DHA. This process is well described in the literature (e.g., see PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870). Simplistically, this process involves elongation of the carbon chain through the addition of carbon atoms and desaturation of the molecule through the addition of double bonds, via a series of special desaturation and elongation enzymes (i.e., “PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzymes”) present in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. More specifically, “PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzyme” refers to any of the following enzymes (and genes which encode said enzymes) associated with the biosynthesis of a PUFA, including: a delta-4 desaturase, a delta-5 desaturase, a delta-6 desaturase, a delta-12 desaturase, a delta-15 desaturase, a delta-17 desaturase, a delta-9 desaturase, a delta-8 desaturase, a delta-9 elongase, a C_(14/16) elongase, a C_(16/18) elongase, a C_(18/20) elongase and/or a C_(20/22) elongase.

The term “omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway” refers to a set of genes which, when expressed under the appropriate conditions, encode enzymes that catalyze the production of either or both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Typically the genes involved in the omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway encode PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzymes. A representative pathway is illustrated in FIG. 1, providing for the conversion of myristic acid through various intermediates to DHA, which demonstrates how both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may be produced from a common source. The pathway is naturally divided into two portions where one portion will generate omega-3 fatty acids and the other portion will generate omega-6 fatty acids.

The term “functional” as used herein in context with the omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway means that some (or all of) the genes in the pathway express active enzymes, resulting in in vivo catalysis or substrate conversion. It should be understood that “omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway” or “functional omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway” does not imply that all the PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzyme genes are required, as a number of fatty acid products will only require the expression of a subset of the genes of this pathway.

The term “delta-9 elongase/delta-8 desaturase pathway” refers to a biosynthetic pathway for production of long-chain PUFAs. This pathway, at a minimum, comprises a delta-9 elongase and a delta-8 desaturase, thereby enabling biosynthesis of DGLA and/or ETA from LA and ALA, respectively. With expression of other desaturases and elongases, ARA, EPA, DPA and DHA may also be synthesized. This pathway may be advantageous in some embodiments, as the biosynthesis of GLA and/or STA is excluded.

The term “intermediate fatty acid” refers to any fatty acid produced in a fatty acid metabolic pathway that can be further converted to an intended product fatty acid in this pathway by the action of other metabolic pathway enzymes. For instance, when EPA is produced using the delta-9 elongase/delta-8 desaturase pathway, EDA, ETrA, DGLA, ETA and ARA can be produced and are considered “intermediate fatty acids” since these fatty acids can be further converted to EPA via action of other metabolic pathway enzymes.

The term “by-product fatty acid” refers to any fatty acid produced in a fatty acid metabolic pathway that is not the intended fatty acid product of the pathway nor an “intermediate fatty acid” of the pathway. For instance, when EPA is produced using the delta-9 elongase/delta-8 desaturase pathway, sciadonic acid (SCI) and juniperonic acid (JUP) also can be produced by the action of a delta-5 desaturase on either EDA or ETrA, respectively. They are considered to be “by-product fatty acids” since neither can be further converted to EPA by the action of other metabolic pathway enzymes.

The terms “triacylglycerol”, “oil” and “TAGs” refer to neutral lipids composed of three fatty acyl residues esterified to a glycerol molecule (and such terms will be used interchangeably throughout the present disclosure herein). Such oils can contain long-chain PUFAs, as well as shorter saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and longer chain saturated fatty acids. Thus, “oil biosynthesis” generically refers to the synthesis of TAGs in the cell.

“Percent (%) PUFAs in the total lipid and oil fractions” refers to the percent of PUFAs relative to the total fatty acids in those fractions. The term “total lipid fraction” or “lipid fraction” both refer to the sum of all lipids (i.e., neutral and polar) within an oleaginous organism, thus including those lipids that are located in the phosphatidylcholine (PC) fraction, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) fraction and triacylglycerol (TAG or oil) fraction. However, the terms “lipid” and “oil” will be used interchangeably throughout the specification.

The terms “conversion efficiency” and “percent substrate conversion” refer to the efficiency by which a particular enzyme (e.g., an elongase) can convert substrate to product. The conversion efficiency is measured according to the following formula: ([product]/[substrate+product])*100, where ‘product’ includes the immediate product and all products in the pathway derived from it.

“Desaturase” is a polypeptide that can desaturate, i.e., introduce a double bond, in one or more fatty acids to produce a fatty acid or precursor of interest. Despite use of the omega-reference system throughout the specification to refer to specific fatty acids, it is more convenient to indicate the activity of a desaturase by counting from the carboxyl end of the substrate using the delta-system. Of particular interest herein are delta-8 desaturases that will desaturate a fatty acid between the eighth and ninth carbon atom numbered from the carboxyl-terminal end of the molecule and that can, for example, catalyze the conversion of EDA to DGLA and/or ETrA to ETA. Other useful fatty acid desaturases include, for example: (1) delta-5 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of DGLA to ARA and/or ETA to EPA; (2) delta-6 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of LA to GLA and/or ALA to STA; (3) delta-4 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of DPA to DHA; (4) delta-12 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to LA; (5) delta-15 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of LA to ALA and/or GLA to STA; (6) delta-17 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of ARA to EPA and/or DGLA to ETA; and (7) delta-9 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of palmitic acid to palmitoleic acid (16:1) and/or stearic acid to oleic acid (18:1). In the art, delta-15 and delta-17 desaturases are also occasionally referred to as “omega-3 desaturases”, “ω-3 desaturases”, and/or “ω-3 desaturases”, based on their ability to convert omega-6 fatty acids into their omega-3 counterparts (e.g., conversion of LA into ALA and ARA into EPA, respectively). In some embodiments, it is most desirable to empirically determine the specificity of a particular fatty acid elongase by transforming a suitable host with the gene for the fatty acid elongase and determining its effect on the fatty acid profile of the host.

The term “elongase system” refers to a suite of four enzymes that are responsible for elongation of a fatty acid carbon chain to produce a fatty acid that is two carbons longer than the fatty acid substrate that the elongase system acts upon. More specifically, the process of elongation occurs in association with fatty acid synthase, whereby CoA is the acyl carrier (Lassner et al., Plant Cell 8:281-292 (1996)). In the first step, which has been found to be both substrate-specific and also rate-limiting, malonyl-CoA is condensed with a long-chain acyl-CoA to yield carbon dioxide (CO₂) and a β-ketoacyl-CoA (where the acyl moiety has been elongated by two carbon atoms). Subsequent reactions include reduction to β-hydroxyacyl-CoA, dehydration to an enoyl-CoA and a second reduction to yield the elongated acyl-CoA. Examples of reactions catalyzed by elongase systems are the conversion of GLA to DGLA, STA to ETA, LA to EDA, ALA to ETRA and EPA to DPA.

For the purposes herein, an enzyme catalyzing the first condensation reaction (i.e., conversion of malonyl-CoA and long-chain acyl-CoA to β-ketoacyl-CoA) will be referred to generically as an “elongase”. In general, the substrate selectivity of elongases is somewhat broad but segregated by both chain length and the degree of unsaturation. Accordingly, elongases can have different specificities. For example, a C_(14/16) elongase will utilize a C₁₄ substrate (e.g., myristic acid), a C_(16/18) elongase will utilize a C₁₆ substrate (e.g., palmitate), a C_(18/20) elongase will utilize a C₁₈ substrate (e.g., GLA, STA) and a C_(20/22) elongase will utilize a C₂₀ substrate (e.g., EPA). Similarly, a “delta-9 elongase” may be able to catalyze the conversion of LA to EDA and/or ALA to ETrA and/or 18:1 to 20:1 (see also FIG. 5). It is important to note that some elongases have broad specificity and thus a single enzyme may be capable of catalyzing several elongase reactions. Thus, for example, a delta-9 elongase may also act as a C_(16/18) elongase, C_(18/20) elongase and/or C_(20/22) elongase and may have alternate, but not preferred, specificities for delta-5 and delta-6 fatty acids such as EPA and/or GLA, respectively.

Measurable delta-6 elongase activity can be defined as any activity greater than 0.9% elongase activity.

Measurable delta-5 activity elongase can be defined as any activity greater than 0.9% elongase activity.

Measurable delta-9 elongase activity can be defined as any activity greater than 0.9% elongase activity.

As used herein, “nucleic acid” means a polynucleotide and includes single or double-stranded polymer of deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide bases. Nucleic acids may also include fragments and modified nucleotides. Thus, the terms “polynucleotide”, “nucleic acid sequence”, “nucleotide sequence” or “nucleic acid fragment” are used interchangeably and is a polymer of RNA or DNA that is single- or double-stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases. Nucleotides (usually found in their 5′-monophosphate form) are referred to by their single letter designation as follows: “A” for adenylate or deoxyadenylate (for RNA or DNA, respectively), “C” for cytidylate or deoxycytidylate, “G” for guanylate or deoxyguanylate, “U” for uridylate, “T” for deoxythymidylate, “R” for purines (A or G), “Y” for pyrimidines (C or T), “K” for G or T, “H” for A or C or T, “I” for inosine, and “N” for any nucleotide.

The terms “subfragment that is functionally equivalent” and “functionally equivalent subfragment” are used interchangeably herein. These terms refer to a portion or subsequence of an isolated nucleic acid fragment in which the ability to alter gene expression or produce a certain phenotype is retained whether or not the fragment or subfragment encodes an active enzyme. For example, the fragment or subfragment can be used in the design of chimeric genes to produce the desired phenotype in a transformed plant. Chimeric genes can be designed for use in suppression by linking a nucleic acid fragment or subfragment thereof, whether or not it encodes an active enzyme, in the sense or antisense orientation relative to a plant promoter sequence.

The term “conserved domain” or “motif” means a set of amino acids conserved at specific positions along an aligned sequence of evolutionarily related proteins. While amino acids at other positions can vary between homologous proteins, amino acids that are highly conserved at specific positions indicate amino acids that are essential in the structure, the stability, or the activity of a protein. Because they are identified by their high degree of conservation in aligned sequences of a family of protein homologues, they can be used as identifiers, or “signatures”, to determine if a protein with a newly determined sequence belongs to a previously identified protein family.

The terms “homology”, “homologous”, “substantially similar” and “corresponding substantially” are used interchangeably herein. They refer to nucleic acid fragments wherein changes in one or more nucleotide bases do not affect the ability of the nucleic acid fragment to mediate gene expression or produce a certain phenotype. These terms also refer to modifications of the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention such as deletion or insertion of one or more nucleotides that do not substantially alter the functional properties of the resulting nucleic acid fragment relative to the initial, unmodified fragment. It is therefore understood, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, that the invention encompasses more than the specific exemplary sequences.

Moreover, the skilled artisan recognizes that substantially similar nucleic acid sequences encompassed by this invention are also defined by their ability to hybridize (under moderately stringent conditions, e.g., 0.5×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 60° C.) with the sequences exemplified herein, or to any portion of the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein and which are functionally equivalent to any of the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein. Stringency conditions can be adjusted to screen for moderately similar fragments, such as homologous sequences from distantly related organisms, to highly similar fragments, such as genes that duplicate functional enzymes from closely related organisms. Post-hybridization washes determine stringency conditions.

The term “selectively hybridizes” includes reference to hybridization, under stringent hybridization conditions, of a nucleic acid sequence to a specified nucleic acid target sequence to a detectably greater degree (e.g., at least 2-fold over background) than its hybridization to non-target nucleic acid sequences and to the substantial exclusion of non-target nucleic acids. Selectively hybridizing sequences typically have about at least 80% sequence identity, or 90% sequence identity, up to and including 100% sequence identity (i.e., fully complementary) with each other.

The term “stringent conditions” or “stringent hybridization conditions” includes reference to conditions under which a probe will selectively hybridize to its target sequence. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances. By controlling the stringency of the hybridization and/or washing conditions, target sequences can be identified which are 100% complementary to the probe (homologous probing). Alternatively, stringency conditions can be adjusted to allow some mismatching in sequences so that lower degrees of similarity are detected (heterologous probing). Generally, a probe is less than about 1000 nucleotides in length, optionally less than 500 nucleotides in length.

Typically, stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.5 M Na ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M Na ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about 30° C. for short probes (e.g., 10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60° C. for long probes (e.g., greater than 50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such as formamide. Exemplary low stringency conditions include hybridization with a buffer solution of 30 to 35% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) at 37° C., and a wash in 1× to 2×SSC (20×SSC=3.0 M NaCl/0.3 M trisodium citrate) at 50 to 55° C. Exemplary moderate stringency conditions include hybridization in 40 to 45% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37° C., and a wash in 0.5× to 1×SSC at 55 to 60° C. Exemplary high stringency conditions include hybridization in 50% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37° C., and a wash in 0.1×SSC at 60 to 65° C.

Specificity is typically the function of post-hybridization washes, the critical factors being the ionic strength and temperature of the final wash solution. For DNA-DNA hybrids, the T_(m) can be approximated from the equation of Meinkoth et al., Anal. Biochem. 138:267-284 (1984): T_(m)=81.5° C.+16.6 (log M)+0.41 (% GC)−0.61 (% form)-500/L; where M is the molarity of monovalent cations, % GC is the percentage of guanosine and cytosine nucleotides in the DNA, % form is the percentage of formamide in the hybridization solution, and L is the length of the hybrid in base pairs. The T_(m) is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of a complementary target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. T_(m) is reduced by about 1° C. for each 1% of mismatching; thus, T_(m), hybridization and/or wash conditions can be adjusted to hybridize to sequences of the desired identity. For example, if sequences with ≧90% identity are sought, the T_(m) can be decreased 10° C. Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence and its complement at a defined ionic strength and pH. However, severely stringent conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 1, 2, 3, or 4° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)); moderately stringent conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)); low stringency conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)). Using the equation, hybridization and wash compositions, and desired T_(m), those of ordinary skill will understand that variations in the stringency of hybridization and/or wash solutions are inherently described. If the desired degree of mismatching results in a T_(m) of less than 45° C. (aqueous solution) or 32° C. (formamide solution), it is preferred to increase the SSC concentration so that a higher temperature can be used. An extensive guide to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen, Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—Hybridization with Nucleic Acid Probes, Part I, Chapter 2 “Overview of principles of hybridization and the strategy of nucleic acid probe assays”, Elsevier, New York (1993); and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Chapter 2, Ausubel et al., Eds., Greene Publishing and Wiley-Interscience, New York (1995). Hybridization and/or wash conditions can be applied for at least 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, or 240 minutes.

“Sequence identity” or “identity” in the context of nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences refers to the nucleic acid bases or amino acid residues in two sequences that are the same when aligned for maximum correspondence over a specified comparison window.

Thus, “percentage of sequence identity” refers to the value determined by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, wherein the portion of the polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) as compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage is calculated by determining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base or amino acid residue occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison and multiplying the results by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. Useful examples of percent sequence identities include, but are not limited to, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%, or any integer percentage from 50% to 100%. These identities can be determined using any of the programs described herein.

Sequence alignments and percent identity or similarity calculations may be determined using a variety of comparison methods designed to detect homologous sequences including, but not limited to, the MegAlign™ program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Within the context of this application it will be understood that where sequence analysis software is used for analysis, that the results of the analysis will be based on the “default values” of the program referenced, unless otherwise specified. As used herein “default values” will mean any set of values or parameters that originally load with the software when first initialized.

The “Clustal V method of alignment” corresponds to the alignment method labeled Clustal V (described by Higgins and Sharp, CABIOS. 5:151-153 (1989); Higgins, D. G. et al. (1992) Comput. Appl. Biosci. 8:189-191) and found in the MegAlign™ program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). For multiple alignments, the default values correspond to GAP PENALTY=10 and GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10. Default parameters for pairwise alignments and calculation of percent identity of protein sequences using the Clustal method are KTUPLE=1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5. For nucleic acids these parameters are KTUPLE=2, GAP PENALTY=5, WINDOW=4 and DIAGONALS SAVED=4. After alignment of the sequences using the Clustal V program, it is possible to obtain a “percent identity” by viewing the “sequence distances” table in the same program.

“BLASTN method of alignment” is an algorithm provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to compare nucleotide sequences using default parameters.

It is well understood by one skilled in the art that many levels of sequence identity are useful in identifying polypeptides from other species, wherein such polypeptides have the same or similar function or activity. Useful examples of percent identities include, but are not limited to, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%, or any integer percentage from 50% to 100%. Indeed, any integer amino acid identity from 50% to 100% may be useful in describing the present invention, such as 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%. Also, of interest is any full-length or partial complement of this isolated nucleotide fragment.

“Gene” refers to a nucleic acid fragment that expresses a specific protein, including regulatory sequences preceding (5′ non-coding sequences) and following (3′ non-coding sequences) the coding sequence. “Native gene” refers to a gene as found in nature with its own regulatory sequences. “Chimeric gene” refers to any gene that is not a native gene, comprising regulatory and coding sequences that are not found together in nature. Accordingly, a chimeric gene may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source, but arranged in a manner different than that found in nature. A “foreign” gene refers to a gene not normally found in the host organism, but that is introduced into the host organism by gene transfer. Foreign genes can comprise native genes inserted into a non-native organism, or chimeric genes. A “transgene” is a gene that has been introduced into the genome by a transformation procedure.

The term “genome” refers to the following: (1) the entire complement of genetic material (genes and non-coding sequences) that is present in each cell of an organism, or virus or organelle; and/or (2) a complete set of chromosomes inherited as a (haploid) unit from one parent. Genome, as it applies to a plant cells, encompasses not only chromosomal DNA found within the nucleus, but organelle DNA found within subcellular components (e.g., mitochondrial, plastid) of the cell.

A “codon-optimized gene” is a gene having its frequency of codon usage designed to mimic the frequency of preferred codon usage of the host cell.

An “allele” is one of several alternative forms of a gene occupying a given locus on a chromosome. When all the alleles present at a given locus on a chromosome are the same that plant is homozygous at that locus. If the alleles present at a given locus on a chromosome differ that plant is heterozygous at that locus.

“Coding sequence” refers to a DNA sequence that codes for a specific amino acid sequence. “Regulatory sequences” refer to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5′ non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3′ non-coding sequences) of a coding sequence, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or translation of the associated coding sequence. Regulatory sequences may include, but are not limited to: promoters, translation leader sequences, introns, polyadenylation recognition sequences, RNA processing sites, effector binding sites and stem-loop structures.

Polynucleotide sequences produced by diversity generation methods or recursive sequence recombination (“RSR”) methods (e.g., DNA shuffling), which can be accomplished in vitro, in vivo, in silico, or a combination thereof are a feature of the invention. A diversification method can include recursively recombining one or more nucleotide sequences of the invention as described below with one or more additional nucleotides. The recombining steps are optionally performed in vivo, ex vivo, in silico or in vitro. This diversity generation or recursive sequence recombination produces at least one library of recombinant modified fatty acid elongase polynucleotides. Polypeptides encoded by members of this library are included in the invention.

Fatty acid elongase polynucleotides of the invention can be readily modified using methods that are well known in the art to improve or alter elongase activity. A variety of diversity generating protocols are available and described in the art. The procedures can be used separately, and/or in combination to produce one or more variants of a nucleic acid or set of nucleic acids, as well as variants of encoded proteins. Individually and collectively, these procedures provide robust, widely applicable ways of generating diversified nucleic acids and sets of nucleic acids (including, nucleic acid libraries) which are useful for the engineering or rapid evolution of nucleic acids, proteins, pathways, cells and/or organisms with new and/or improved characteristics.

While distinctions and classifications are made in the course of the ensuing discussion for clarity; it will be appreciated that the techniques are often not mutually exclusive. Indeed, the various methods can be used singly or in combination, in parallel or in series, to access diverse sequence variants.

The result of any of the diversity generating procedures described herein can be the generation of one or more nucleic acids, which can be selected or screened for nucleic acids that encode proteins with or which confer desirable properties. Following diversification by one or more of the methods herein, or otherwise available to one of skill, any nucleic acids that are produced can be selected for a desired activity or property, e.g. elongase activity. A variety of related (or even unrelated) properties can be evaluated, in serial or in parallel, at the discretion of the practitioner.

Descriptions of a variety of diversity generating procedures, including multigene shuffling and methods for generating modified nucleic acid sequences encoding multiple enzymatic domains, are found in, e.g., the following publications and the references cited therein: Soong, N. et al. (2000) “Molecular breeding of viruses” Nat Genet. 25(4):436-39; Stemmer, et al. (1999) “Molecular breeding of viruses for targeting and other clinical properties” Tumor Targeting 4:1-4; Ness et al. (1999) “DNA Shuffling of subgenomic sequences of subtilisin” Nature Biotechnology 17:893-896; Chang et al. (1999) “Evolution of a cytokine using DNA family shuffling” Nature Biotechnology 17:793-797; Minshull and Stemmer (1999) “Protein evolution by molecular breeding” Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 3:284-290; Christians et al. (1999) “Directed evolution of thymidine kinase for AZT phosphorylation using DNA family shuffling” Nature Biotechnology 17:259-264; Crameri et al. (1998) “DNA shuffling of a family of genes from diverse species accelerates directed evolution” Nature 391:288-291; Crameri et al. (1997) “Molecular evolution of an arsenate detoxification pathway by DNA shuffling,” Nature Biotechnology 15:436-438; Zhang et al. (1997) “Directed evolution of an effective fucosidase from a galactosidase by DNA shuffling and screening” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:4504-4509; Patten et al. (1997) “Applications of DNA Shuffling to Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines” Current Opinion in Biotechnology 8:724-733; Crameri et al. (1996) “Construction and evolution of antibody-phage libraries by DNA shuffling” Nature Medicine 2:100-103; Crameri et al. (1996) “Improved green fluorescent protein by molecular evolution using DNA shuffling” Nature Biotechnology 14:315-319; Gates et al. (1996) “Affinity selective isolation of ligands from peptide libraries through display on a lac repressor ‘headpiece dimer’” Journal of Molecular Biology 255:373-386; Stemmer (1996) “Sexual PCR and Assembly PCR” In: The Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology. VCH Publishers, New York. pp. 447-457; Crameri and Stemmer (1995) “Combinatorial multiple cassette mutagenesis creates all the permutations of mutant and wildtype cassettes” BioTechniques 18:194-195; Stemmer et al., (1995) “Single-step assembly of a gene and entire plasmid from large numbers of oligodeoxy-ribonucleotides” Gene, 164:49-53; Stemmer (1995) “The Evolution of Molecular Computation” Science 270: 1510; Stemmer (1995) “Searching Sequence Space” Bio/Technology 13:549-553; Stemmer (1994) “Rapid evolution of a protein in vitro by DNA shuffling” Nature 370:389-391; and Stemmer (1994) “DNA shuffling by random fragmentation and reassembly: In vitro recombination for molecular evolution.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:10747-10751.

Additional details regarding various diversity generating methods can be found in, e.g., the following U.S. patents, PCT publications, and EPO publications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,793, 5,811,238, 5,830,721, 5,834,252, and 5,837,458; WO 95/22625; WO 96/33207; WO 97/20078; WO 97/35966; WO 99/41402; WO 99/41383; WO 99/41369; WO 99/41368; EP 752008; EP 0932670; WO 99/23107; WO 99/21979; WO 98/31837; WO 98/27230; WO 98/13487; WO 00/00632; WO 00/09679; WO 98/42832; WO 99/29902; WO 98/41653; WO 98/41622; WO 98/42727; WO 00/18906; WO 00/04190; WO 00/42561; WO 00/42559; WO 00/42560; WO 01/23401; and WO 01/64864.

Additional details regarding various diversity generating methods can be found in, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/407,800 and 60/186,482; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,379,964, 6,376,246, 6,436,675, 6,642,426, and 7,024,312; WO 00/42561; WO 00/42560; and WO 00/42559.

In brief, several different general classes of sequence modification methods, such as mutation, recombination, etc. are set forth in the references above. Accordingly, the elongase nucleic acids of the invention can be generated from wild type sequences. Moreover, the elongase nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be modified to create modified sequences with the same or different activity.

Synthetic recombination methods can also be used, in which oligonucleotides corresponding to targets of interest are synthesized and reassembled in PCR or ligation reactions which include oligonucleotides which correspond to more than one parental nucleic acid, thereby generating new recombined nucleic acids. Oligonucleotides can be made by standard nucleotide addition methods, or can be made, e.g., by tri-nucleotide synthetic approaches. Details regarding such approaches are found in the references noted above, including, e.g., WO 00/42561, WO 01/23401, WO 00/42560, and WO 00/42559.

In silico methods of recombination can be effected in which genetic algorithms are used in a computer to recombine sequence strings which correspond to homologous (or even non-homologous) nucleic acids. The resulting recombined sequence strings are optionally converted into nucleic acids by synthesis of nucleic acids which correspond to the recombined sequences, e.g., in concert with oligonucleotide synthesis gene reassembly techniques. This approach can generate random, partially random or designed variants. Many details regarding in silico recombination, including the use of genetic algorithms, genetic operators and the like in computer systems, combined with generation of corresponding nucleic acids (and/or proteins), as well as combinations of designed nucleic acids and/or proteins (e.g., based on cross-over site selection) as well as designed, pseudo-random or random recombination methods are described in WO 00/42560 and WO 00/42559. Extensive details regarding in silico recombination methods are found in these applications. This methodology is generally applicable to the present invention in providing for recombination of nucleic acid sequences and/or gene fusion constructs encoding proteins involved in various metabolic pathways (such as those responsible for PUFA biosynthesis) in silico and/or the generation of corresponding nucleic acids or proteins.

Many of the above-described methodologies for generating modified polynucleotides generate a large number of diverse variants of a parental sequence or sequences. In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the modification technique (e.g., some form of shuffling) is used to generate a library of variants that is then screened for a modified polynucleotide or pool of modified polynucleotides encoding some desired functional attribute, e.g., improved elongase activity. Exemplary enzymatic activities that can be screened for include catalytic rates (conventionally characterized in terms of kinetic constants such as k_(cat) and K_(M)), substrate specificity, and susceptibility to activation or inhibition by substrate, product or other molecules (e.g., inhibitors or activators).

“Promoter” refers to a DNA sequence capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA. The promoter sequence consists of proximal and more distal upstream elements, the latter elements often referred to as enhancers. Accordingly, an “enhancer” is a DNA sequence that can stimulate promoter activity, and may be an innate element of the promoter or a heterologous element inserted to enhance the level or tissue-specificity of a promoter. Promoters may be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise synthetic DNA segments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that different promoters may direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental conditions. It is further recognized that, since in most cases the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, DNA fragments of some variation may have identical promoter activity. Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed in most cell types at most times are commonly referred to as “constitutive promoters”. New promoters of various types useful in plant cells are constantly being discovered; numerous examples may be found in the compilation by Okamuro, J. K., and Goldberg, R. B. Biochemistry of Plants 15:1-82 (1989).

“Translation leader sequence” refers to a polynucleotide sequence located between the promoter sequence of a gene and the coding sequence. The translation leader sequence is present in the fully processed mRNA upstream of the translation start sequence. The translation leader sequence may affect processing of the primary transcript to mRNA, mRNA stability or translation efficiency. Examples of translation leader sequences have been described (Turner, R. and Foster, G. D., Mol. Biotechnol. 3:225-236 (1995)).

“3′ non-coding sequences”, “transcription terminator” or “termination sequences” refer to DNA sequences located downstream of a coding sequence and include polyadenylation recognition sequences and other sequences encoding regulatory signals capable of affecting mRNA processing or gene expression. The polyadenylation signal is usually characterized by affecting the addition of polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor. The use of different 3′ non-coding sequences is exemplified by Ingelbrecht, I. L., et al. Plant Cell 1:671-680 (1989).

“RNA transcript” refers to the product resulting from RNA polymerase-catalyzed transcription of a DNA sequence. When the RNA transcript is a perfect complementary copy of the DNA sequence, it is referred to as the primary transcript. An RNA transcript is referred to as the mature RNA when it is an RNA sequence derived from post-transcriptional processing of the primary transcript. “Messenger RNA” or “mRNA” refers to the RNA that is without introns and that can be translated into protein by the cell. “cDNA” refers to a DNA that is complementary to, and synthesized from, an mRNA template using the enzyme reverse transcriptase. The cDNA can be single-stranded or converted into double-stranded form using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I. “Sense” RNA refers to RNA transcript that includes the mRNA and can be translated into protein within a cell or in vitro. “Antisense RNA” refers to an RNA transcript that is complementary to all or part of a target primary transcript or mRNA, and that blocks the expression of a target gene (U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,065). The complementarity of an antisense RNA may be with any part of the specific gene transcript, i.e., at the 5′ non-coding sequence, 3′ non-coding sequence, introns, or the coding sequence. “Functional RNA” refers to antisense RNA, ribozyme RNA, or other RNA that may not be translated but yet has an effect on cellular processes. The terms “complement” and “reverse complement” are used interchangeably herein with respect to mRNA transcripts, and are meant to define the antisense RNA of the message.

The term “operably linked” refers to the association of nucleic acid sequences on a single nucleic acid fragment so that the function of one is regulated by the other. For example, a promoter is operably linked with a coding sequence when it is capable of regulating the expression of that coding sequence (i.e., the coding sequence is under the transcriptional control of the promoter). Coding sequences can be operably linked to regulatory sequences in a sense or antisense orientation. In another example, the complementary RNA regions of the invention can be operably linked, either directly or indirectly, 5′ to the target mRNA, or 3′ to the target mRNA, or within the target mRNA, or a first complementary region is 5′ and its complement is 3′ to the target mRNA.

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used herein are well known in the art and are described more fully in Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989). Transformation methods are well known to those skilled in the art and are described infra.

“PCR” or “polymerase chain reaction” is a technique for the synthesis of large quantities of specific DNA segments and consists of a series of repetitive cycles (Perkin Elmer Cetus Instruments, Norwalk, Conn.). Typically, the double-stranded DNA is heat denatured, the two primers complementary to the 3′ boundaries of the target segment are annealed at low temperature and then extended at an intermediate temperature. One set of these three consecutive steps is referred to as a “cycle”.

The term “recombinant” refers to an artificial combination of two otherwise separated segments of sequence, e.g., by chemical synthesis or by the manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids by genetic engineering techniques.

The terms “plasmid”, “vector” and “cassette” refer to an extra chromosomal element often carrying genes that are not part of the central metabolism of the cell, and usually in the form of circular double-stranded DNA fragments. Such elements may be autonomously replicating sequences, genome integrating sequences, phage or nucleotide sequences, linear or circular, of a single- or double-stranded DNA or RNA, derived from any source, in which a number of nucleotide sequences have been joined or recombined into a unique construction which is capable of introducing a promoter fragment and DNA sequence for a selected gene product along with appropriate 3′ untranslated sequence into a cell. “Transformation cassette” refers to a specific vector containing a foreign gene and having elements in addition to the foreign gene that facilitates transformation of a particular host cell. “Expression cassette” refers to a specific vector containing a foreign gene and having elements in addition to the foreign gene that allow for enhanced expression of that gene in a foreign host (i.e., to a discrete nucleic acid fragment into which a nucleic acid sequence or fragment can be moved).

The terms “recombinant construct”, “expression construct”, “chimeric construct”, “construct”, and “recombinant DNA construct” are used interchangeably herein. A recombinant construct comprises an artificial combination of nucleic acid fragments, e.g., regulatory and coding sequences that are not found together in nature. For example, a chimeric construct may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source, but arranged in a manner different than that found in nature. Such a construct may be used by itself or may be used in conjunction with a vector. If a vector is used, then the choice of vector is dependent upon the method that will be used to transform host cells as is well known to those skilled in the art. For example, a plasmid vector can be used. The skilled artisan is well aware of the genetic elements that must be present on the vector in order to successfully transform, select and propagate host cells comprising any of the isolated nucleic acid fragments of the invention. The skilled artisan will also recognize that different independent transformation events will result in different levels and patterns of expression (Jones et al., EMBO J. 4:2411-2418 (1985); De Almeida et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics 218:78-86 (1989)), and thus that multiple events must be screened in order to obtain lines displaying the desired expression level and pattern. Such screening may be accomplished by Southern analysis of DNA, Northern analysis of mRNA expression, immunoblotting analysis of protein expression, or phenotypic analysis, among others.

The term “expression”, as used herein, refers to the production of a functional end-product (e.g., a mRNA or a protein [either precursor or mature]).

The term “introduced” means providing a nucleic acid (e.g., expression construct) or protein into a cell. Introduced includes reference to the incorporation of a nucleic acid into a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell where the nucleic acid may be incorporated into the genome of the cell, and includes reference to the transient provision of a nucleic acid or protein to the cell. Introduced includes reference to stable or transient transformation methods, as well as sexually crossing. Thus, “introduced” in the context of inserting a nucleic acid fragment (e.g., a recombinant DNA construct/expression construct) into a cell, means “transfection” or “transformation” or “transduction” and includes reference to the incorporation of a nucleic acid fragment into a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell where the nucleic acid fragment may be incorporated into the genome of the cell (e.g., chromosome, plasmid, plastid or mitochondrial DNA), converted into an autonomous replicon, or transiently expressed (e.g., transfected mRNA).

“Mature” protein refers to a post-translationally processed polypeptide (i.e., one from which any pre- or propeptides present in the primary translation product have been removed). “Precursor” protein refers to the primary product of translation of mRNA (i.e., with pre- and propeptides still present). Pre- and propeptides may be but are not limited to intracellular localization signals.

“Stable transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into a genome of a host organism, including both nuclear and organellar genomes, resulting in genetically stable inheritance. In contrast, “transient transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into the nucleus, or DNA-containing organelle, of a host organism resulting in gene expression without integration or stable inheritance. Host organisms containing the transformed nucleic acid fragments are referred to as “transgenic” organisms.

As used herein, “transgenic” refers to a plant or a cell which comprises within its genome a heterologous polynucleotide. Preferably, the heterologous polynucleotide is stably integrated within the genome such that the polynucleotide is passed on to successive generations. The heterologous polynucleotide may be integrated into the genome alone or as part of an expression construct. Transgenic is used herein to include any cell, cell line, callus, tissue, plant part or plant, the genotype of which has been altered by the presence of heterologous nucleic acid including those transgenics initially so altered as well as those created by sexual crosses or asexual propagation from the initial transgenic. The term “transgenic” as used herein does not encompass the alteration of the genome (chromosomal or extra-chromosomal) by conventional plant breeding methods or by naturally occurring events such as random cross-fertilization, non-recombinant viral infection, non-recombinant bacterial transformation, non-recombinant transposition, or spontaneous mutation.

“Antisense inhibition” refers to the production of antisense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of the target protein. “Co-suppression” refers to the production of sense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of identical or substantially similar foreign or endogenous genes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,020). Co-suppression constructs in plants previously have been designed by focusing on overexpression of a nucleic acid sequence having homology to an endogenous mRNA, in the sense orientation, which results in the reduction of all RNA having homology to the overexpressed sequence (Vaucheret et al., Plant J. 16:651-659 (1998); Gura, Nature 404:804-808 (2000)). The overall efficiency of this phenomenon is low, and the extent of the RNA reduction is widely variable. More recent work has described the use of “hairpin” structures that incorporate all, or part, of an mRNA encoding sequence in a complementary orientation that results in a potential “stem-loop” structure for the expressed RNA (PCT Publication No. WO 99/53050, published Oct. 21, 1999; PCT Publication No. WO 02/00904, published Jan. 3, 2002). This increases the frequency of co-suppression in the recovered transgenic plants. Another variation describes the use of plant viral sequences to direct the suppression, or “silencing”, of proximal mRNA encoding sequences (PCT Publication No. WO 98/36083, published Aug. 20, 1998). Both of these co-suppressing phenomena have not been elucidated mechanistically, although genetic evidence has begun to unravel this complex situation (Elmayan et al., Plant Cell 10:1747-1757 (1998)).

The term “oleaginous” refers to those organisms that tend to store their energy source in the form of lipid (Weete, In: Fungal Lipid Biochemistry, 2^(nd) Ed., Plenum, 1980). A class of plants identified as oleaginous are commonly referred to as “oilseed” plants. Examples of oilseed plants include, but are not limited to: soybean (Glycine and Soja sp.), flax (Linum sp.), rapeseed (Brassica sp.), maize, cotton, safflower (Carthamus sp.) and sunflower (Helianthus sp.).

Within oleaginous microorganisms the cellular oil or TAG content generally follows a sigmoid curve, wherein the concentration of lipid increases until it reaches a maximum at the late logarithmic or early stationary growth phase and then gradually decreases during the late stationary and death phases (Yongmanitchai and Ward, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57:419-25 (1991)). The term “oleaginous yeast” refers to those microorganisms classified as yeasts that make oil. It is not uncommon for oleaginous microorganisms to accumulate in excess of about 25% of their dry cell weight as oil. Examples of oleaginous yeast include, but are no means limited to, the following genera: Yarrowia, Candida, Rhodotorula, Rhodosporidium, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon and Lipomyces.

The term “Euglenophyceae” refers to a group of unicellular colorless or photosynthetic flagellates (“euglenoids”) found living in freshwater, marine, soil, and parasitic environments. The class is characterized by solitary unicells, wherein most are free-swimming and have two flagella (one of which may be nonemergent) arising from an anterior invagination known as a reservoir. Photosynthetic euglenoids contain one to many grass-green chloroplasts, which vary from minute disks to expanded plates or ribbons. Colorless euglenoids depend on osmotrophy or phagotrophy for nutrient assimilation. About 1000 species have been described and classified into about 40 genera and 6 orders. Examples of Euglenophyceae include, but are no means limited to, the following genera: Euglena, Eutreptiella and Tetruetreptia.

The term “plant” refers to whole plants, plant organs, plant tissues, seeds, plant cells, seeds and progeny of the same. Plant cells include, without limitation, cells from seeds, suspension cultures, embryos, meristematic regions, callus tissue, leaves, roots, shoots, gametophytes, sporophytes, pollen and microspores. The term “plant organ” refers to plant tissue or a group of tissues that constitute a morphologically and functionally distinct part of a plant.

“Progeny” comprises any subsequent generation of a plant.

An Overview Microbial Biosynthesis of Fatty Acids and Triacylglycerols

In general, lipid accumulation in oleaginous microorganisms is triggered in response to the overall carbon to nitrogen ratio present in the growth medium. This process, leading to the de novo synthesis of free palmitate (16:0) in oleaginous microorganisms, is described in detail in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757. Palmitate is the precursor of longer-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acid derivates, which are formed through the action of elongases and desaturases (FIG. 1).

TAGs (the primary storage unit for fatty acids) are formed by a series of reactions that involve: (1) the esterification of one molecule of acyl-CoA to glycerol-3-phosphate via an acyltransferase to produce lysophosphatidic acid; (2) the esterification of a second molecule of acyl-CoA via an acyltransferase to yield 1,2-diacylglycerol phosphate (commonly identified as phosphatidic acid); (3) removal of a phosphate by phosphatidic acid phosphatase to yield 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG); and (4) the addition of a third fatty acid by the action of an acyltransferase to form TAG. A wide spectrum of fatty acids can be incorporated into TAGs, including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and short-chain and long-chain fatty acids.

Biosynthesis of Omega Fatty Acids

The metabolic process wherein oleic acid is converted to long chain omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids involves elongation of the carbon chain through the addition of carbon atoms and desaturation of the molecule through the addition of double bonds. This requires a series of special desaturation and elongation enzymes present in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. However, as seen in FIG. 1 and as described below, there are often multiple alternate pathways for production of a specific long chain omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid.

Specifically, all pathways require the initial conversion of oleic acid to LA, the first of the omega-6 fatty acids, by a delta-12 desaturase. Then, using the “delta-9 elongase/delta-8 desaturase pathway”, long chain omega-6 fatty acids are formed as follows: (1) LA is converted to EDA by a delta-9 elongase; (2) EDA is converted to DGLA by a delta-8 desaturase; and (3) DGLA is converted to ARA by a delta-5 desaturase. Alternatively, the “delta-9 elongase/delta-8 desaturase pathway” can be utilized for formation of long chain omega-3 fatty acids as follows: (1) LA is converted to ALA, the first of the omega-3 fatty acids, by a delta-15 desaturase; (2) ALA is converted to ETrA by a delta-9 elongase; (3) ETrA is converted to ETA by a delta-8 desaturase; (4) ETA is converted to EPA by a delta-5 desaturase; (5) EPA is converted to DPA by a C_(20/22) elongase; and (6) DPA is converted to DHA by a delta-4 desaturase. Optionally, omega-6 fatty acids may be converted to omega-3 fatty acids; for example, ETA and EPA are produced from DGLA and ARA, respectively, by delta-17 desaturase activity.

Alternate pathways for the biosynthesis of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids utilize a delta-6 desaturase and C_(18/20) elongase (also known as delta-6 elongase, the terms can be used interchangeably) (i.e., the “delta-6 desaturase/delta-6 elongase pathway”). More specifically, LA and ALA may be converted to GLA and STA, respectively, by a delta-6 desaturase; then, a C_(18/20) elongase converts GLA to DGLA and/or STA to ETA.

It is contemplated that the particular functionalities required to be introduced into a specific host organism for production of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids will depend on the host cell (and its native PUFA profile and/or desaturase/elongase profile), the availability of substrate, and the desired end product(s). For example, expression of the delta-9 elongase/delta-8 desaturase pathway may be preferred in some embodiments, as opposed to expression of the delta-6 desaturase/delta-6 elongase pathway, since PUFAs produced via the former pathway are devoid of GLA.

One skilled in the art will be able to identify various candidate genes encoding each of the enzymes desired for omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid biosynthesis. Useful desaturase and elongase sequences may be derived from any source, e.g., isolated from a natural source (from bacteria, algae, fungi, plants, animals, etc.), produced via a semi-synthetic route or synthesized de novo. Although the particular source of the desaturase and elongase genes introduced into the host is not critical, considerations for choosing a specific polypeptide having desaturase or elongase activity include: (1) the substrate specificity of the polypeptide; (2) whether the polypeptide or a component thereof is a rate-limiting enzyme; (3) whether the desaturase or elongase is essential for synthesis of a desired PUFA; and/or (4) co-factors required by the polypeptide. The expressed polypeptide preferably has parameters compatible with the biochemical environment of its location in the host cell (see PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757 for additional details).

Additionally, it will be useful to consider the conversion efficiency of each particular desaturase and/or elongase. More specifically, since each enzyme rarely functions with 100% efficiency to convert substrate to product, the final lipid profile of unpurified oils produced in a host cell will typically be a mixture of various PUFAs consisting of the desired omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid, as well as various upstream intermediary PUFAs. Thus, consideration of each enzyme's conversion efficiency is also a variable when optimizing biosynthesis of a desired fatty acid that must be considered in light of the final desired lipid profile of the product.

With each of the considerations above in mind, candidate genes having the appropriate desaturase and elongase activities (e.g., delta-6 desaturases, C_(18/20) elongases, delta-5 desaturases, delta-17 desaturases, delta-15 desaturases, delta-9 desaturases, delta-12 desaturases, C_(14/16) elongases, C_(16/18) elongases, delta-9 elongases, delta-8 desaturases, delta-4 desaturases and C_(20/22) elongases) can be identified according to publicly available literature (e.g., GenBank), the patent literature, and experimental analysis of organisms having the ability to produce PUFAs. These genes will be suitable for introduction into a specific host organism, to enable or enhance the organism's synthesis of PUFAs.

Sequence Identification of Novel Delta-9 Elongases

In the present invention, nucleotide sequences encoding novel delta-9 elongases have been isolated. Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention concerns an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, wherein said polypeptide has at least 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; or a full-length complement of the nucleotide sequence thereof.

In some embodiments, the nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, said polypeptide has at least one of the following modifications to SEQ ID NO:2:

-   -   (a) at amino acid residue number 5, substitution of alanine (A)         with valine (V),     -   (b) at amino acid residue number 9, substitution of proline (P)         with leucine (L),     -   (c) at amino acid residue number 62 substitution of glutamic         acid (E) with aspartic acid (D),     -   (d) at amino acid residue number 79, substitution of leucine (L)         with methionine (M),     -   (e) at amino acid residue number 80, substitution isoleucine (I)         with of leucine (L),     -   (f) at amino acid residue number 106, substitution of         phenylalanine (F) with tyrosine (Y),     -   (g) at amino acid residue number 110, substitution of         histidine (H) with tyrosine (Y),     -   (h) at amino acid residue number 117, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (i) at amino acid residue number 130, substitution of         tyrosine (Y) with phenylalanine (F),     -   (j) at amino acid residue number 138, substitution of glutamic         acid (E) with glutamine (Q),     -   (k) at amino acid residue number 162, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (l) at amino acid residue number 169, substitution of         methionine (M) with leucine (L),     -   (m) at amino acid residue number 171, substitution of         methionine (M) with leucine (L),     -   (n) at amino acid residue number 174, substitution of lysine (K)         with arginine (R),     -   (o) at amino acid residue number 191, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (p) at amino acid residue number 208, substitution tyrosine (Y)         with tryptophan (W),     -   (q) at amino acid residue number 213, substitution of         leucine (L) with methionine (M),     -   (r) at amino acid residue number 237, substitution of         phenylalanine (F) with leucine (L),     -   (s) at amino acid residue number 242, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (t) at amino acid residue number 253, substitution of         methionine (M) with leucine (L),     -   (u) at amino acid residue number 276, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (v) at amino acid residue number 277, substitution of         threonine (T) with alanine (A),     -   (w) at amino acid residue number 287, substitution of         methionine (M) with leucine (L),     -   (x) at amino acid residue number 297, substitution of lysine (K)         with arginine (R).

Another aspect concerns a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, wherein said polypeptide has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or all of the modifications (a)-(x).

Still another embodiment concerns a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth SEQ ID NO:2, provided that said polypeptide has at least one of the modifications (a)-(x).

Still another embodiment concerns a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, wherein said polypeptide has the amino acid sequence set forth SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, or SEQ ID NO:30.

Still another embodiment concerns a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity and Δ5 elongase activity, wherein said polypeptide comprises the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:27, or SEQ ID NO:29.

Identification and Isolation of Homologs

Any of the instant elongase sequences or portions thereof may be used to search for delta-9 elongase homologs in the same or other bacterial, algal, fungal, euglenoid or plant species using sequence analysis software. In general, such computer software matches similar sequences by assigning degrees of homology to various substitutions, deletions, and other modifications.

Alternatively, any of the instant elongase sequences or portions thereof may also be employed as hybridization reagents for the identification of delta-9 elongase homologs. The basic components of a nucleic acid hybridization test include a probe, a sample suspected of containing the gene or gene fragment of interest and a specific hybridization method. Probes are typically single-stranded nucleic acid sequences that are complementary to the nucleic acid sequences to be detected. Probes are “hybridizable” to the nucleic acid sequence to be detected. Although the probe length can vary from 5 bases to tens of thousands of bases, typically a probe length of about 15 bases to about 30 bases is suitable. Only part of the probe molecule need be complementary to the nucleic acid sequence to be detected. In addition, the complementarity between the probe and the target sequence need not be perfect. Hybridization does occur between imperfectly complementary molecules with the result that a certain fraction of the bases in the hybridized region are not paired with the proper complementary base.

Hybridization methods are well defined. Typically the probe and sample must be mixed under conditions that will permit nucleic acid hybridization. This involves contacting the probe and sample in the presence of an inorganic or organic salt under the proper concentration and temperature conditions. The probe and sample nucleic acids must be in contact for a long enough time that any possible hybridization between the probe and sample nucleic acid may occur. The concentration of probe or target in the mixture will determine the time necessary for hybridization to occur. The higher the probe or target concentration, the shorter the hybridization incubation time needed. Optionally, a chaotropic agent may be added (e.g., guanidinium chloride, guanidinium thiocyanate, sodium thiocyanate, lithium tetrachloroacetate, sodium perchlorate, rubidium tetrachloroacetate, potassium iodide, cesium trifluoroacetate). If desired, one can add formamide to the hybridization mixture, typically 30-50% (v/v).

Various hybridization solutions can be employed. Typically, these comprise from about 20 to 60% volume, preferably 30%, of a polar organic solvent. A common hybridization solution employs about 30-50% v/v formamide, about 0.15 to 1 M sodium chloride, about 0.05 to 0.1 M buffers (e.g., sodium citrate, Tris-HCl, PIPES or HEPES (pH range about 6-9)), about 0.05 to 0.2% detergent (e.g., sodium dodecylsulfate), or between 0.5-20 mM EDTA, FICOLL (Pharmacia Inc.) (about 300-500 kdal), polyvinylpyrrolidone (about 250-500 kdal), and serum albumin. Also included in the typical hybridization solution will be unlabeled carrier nucleic acids from about 0.1 to 5 mg/mL, fragmented nucleic DNA (e.g., calf thymus or salmon sperm DNA, or yeast RNA), and optionally from about 0.5 to 2% wt/vol glycine. Other additives may also be included, such as volume exclusion agents that include a variety of polar water-soluble or swellable agents (e.g., polyethylene glycol), anionic polymers (e.g., polyacrylate or polymethylacrylate) and anionic saccharidic polymers (e.g., dextran sulfate).

Nucleic acid hybridization is adaptable to a variety of assay formats. One of the most suitable is the sandwich assay format. The sandwich assay is particularly adaptable to hybridization under non-denaturing conditions. A primary component of a sandwich-type assay is a solid support. The solid support has adsorbed to it or covalently coupled to it immobilized nucleic acid probe that is unlabeled and complementary to one portion of the sequence.

In additional embodiments, any of the delta-9 elongase nucleic acid fragments described herein (or any homologs identified thereof) may be used to isolate genes encoding homologous proteins from the same or other bacterial, algal, fungal, euglenoid or plant species. Isolation of homologous genes using sequence-dependent protocols is well known in the art. Examples of sequence-dependent protocols include, but are not limited to: (1) methods of nucleic acid hybridization; (2) methods of DNA and RNA amplification, as exemplified by various uses of nucleic acid amplification technologies [e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Mullis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202; ligase chain reaction (LCR), Tabor et al., Proc. Acad. Sci. USA 82:1074 (1985); or strand displacement amplification (SDA), Walker et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 89:392 (1992)]; and (3) methods of library construction and screening by complementation.

For example, genes encoding similar proteins or polypeptides to the delta-9 elongases described herein could be isolated directly by using all or a portion of the instant nucleic acid fragments as DNA hybridization probes to screen libraries from e.g., any desired yeast or fungus using methodology well known to those skilled in the art (wherein those organisms producing DGLA and/or ETA would be preferred). Specific oligonucleotide probes based upon the instant nucleic acid sequences can be designed and synthesized by methods known in the art (Maniatis, supra). Moreover, the entire sequences can be used directly to synthesize DNA probes by methods known to the skilled artisan (e.g., random primers DNA labeling, nick translation or end-labeling techniques), or RNA probes using available in vitro transcription systems. In addition, specific primers can be designed and used to amplify a part of (or full-length of) the instant sequences. The resulting amplification products can be labeled directly during amplification reactions or labeled after amplification reactions, and used as probes to isolate full-length DNA fragments under conditions of appropriate stringency.

Typically, in PCR-type amplification techniques, the primers have different sequences and are not complementary to each other. Depending on the desired test conditions, the sequences of the primers should be designed to provide for both efficient and faithful replication of the target nucleic acid. Methods of PCR primer design are common and well known in the art (Thein and Wallace, “The use of oligonucleotide as specific hybridization probes in the Diagnosis of Genetic Disorders”, in Human Genetic Diseases: A Practical Approach, K. E. Davis Ed., (1986) pp 33-50, IRL: Herndon, Va.; and Rychlik, W., In Methods in Molecular Biology, White, B. A. Ed., (1993) Vol. 15, pp 31-39, PCR Protocols: Current Methods and Applications. Humania: Totowa, N.J.).

Generally two short segments of the instant sequences may be used in PCR protocols to amplify longer nucleic acid fragments encoding homologous genes from DNA or RNA. PCR may also be performed on a library of cloned nucleic acid fragments wherein the sequence of one primer is derived from the instant nucleic acid fragments, and the sequence of the other primer takes advantage of the presence of the polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor encoding eukaryotic genes.

Alternatively, the second primer sequence may be based upon sequences derived from the cloning vector. For example, the skilled artisan can follow the RACE protocol (Frohman et al., PNAS USA 85:8998 (1988)) to generate cDNAs by using PCR to amplify copies of the region between a single point in the transcript and the 3′ or 5′ end. Primers oriented in the 3′ and 5′ directions can be designed from the instant sequences. Using commercially available 3′ RACE or 5′ RACE systems (Gibco/BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.), specific 3′ or 5′ cDNA fragments can be isolated (Ohara et al., PNAS USA 86:5673 (1989); Loh et al., Science 243:217 (1989)).

In other embodiments, any of the delta-9 elongase nucleic acid fragments described herein (or any homologs identified thereof) may be used for creation of new and improved fatty acid elongases. As is well known in the art, in vitro mutagenesis and selection, chemical mutagenesis, “gene shuffling” methods or other means can be employed to obtain mutations of naturally occurring elongase genes. Alternatively, improved fatty acids may be synthesized by domain swapping, wherein a functional domain from any of the delta-9 elongase nucleic acid fragments described herein are exchanged with a functional domain in an alternate elongase gene to thereby result in a novel protein. As used herein, “domain” or “functional domain” refer to nucleic acid sequence(s) that are capable of eliciting a biological response in plants.

Methods for Production of Various Omega-3 and/or Omega-6 Fatty Acids

It is expected that introduction of chimeric genes encoding the delta-9 elongases described herein or mutant enzymes, codon-optimized enzymes or homologs thereof), under the control of the appropriate promoters will result in increased production of DGLA and/or ETA in the transformed host organism, respectively. As such, the present invention encompasses a method for the direct production of PUFAs comprising exposing a fatty acid to the elongase enzymes described herein, such that the substrate is converted to the desired fatty acid product.

Plant Expression Systems, Cassettes and Vectors, and Transformation

One embodiment concerns a recombinant construct comprising any one of the delta-9 elongase polynucleotides of the invention operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence suitable for expression in a plant. The promoter region influences the rate, developmental stage, and cell type in which the RNA transcript of the gene is made. The RNA transcript is processed to produce mRNA which serves as a template for translation of the RNA sequence into the amino acid sequence of the encoded polypeptide. The 5′ non-translated leader sequence is a region of the mRNA upstream of the protein coding region that may play a role in initiation and translation of the mRNA. The 3′ transcription termination/polyadenylation signal is a non-translated region downstream of the protein coding region that functions in the plant cell to cause termination of the RNA transcript and the addition of polyadenylate nucleotides to the 3′ end of the RNA.

The origin of the promoter chosen to drive expression of the delta-9 elongase coding sequence is not important as long as it has sufficient transcriptional activity to accomplish the invention by expressing translatable mRNA for the desired nucleic acid fragments in the desired host tissue at the right time. Either heterologous or non-heterologous (i.e., endogenous) promoters can be used to practice the invention. For example, suitable promoters include, but are not limited to: the alpha prime subunit of the beta conglycinin promoter, the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor 3 promoter, the annexin promoter, the glycinin Gy1 promoter, the beta subunit of the beta conglycinin promoter, the P34/Gly Bd m 30K promoter, the albumin promoter, the Leg A1 promoter and the Leg A2 promoter.

The annexin, or P34, promoter is described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/071178 (published Aug. 26, 2004). The level of activity of the annexin promoter is comparable to that of many known strong promoters, such as: (1) the CaMV 35S promoter (Atanassova et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 37:275-285 (1998); Battraw and Hall, Plant Mol. Biol. 15:527-538 (1990); Holtorf et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 29:637-646 (1995); Jefferson et al., EMBO J. 6:3901-3907 (1987); Wilmink et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 28:949-955 (1995)); (2) the Arabidopsis oleosin promoters (Plant et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 25:193-205 (1994); Li, Texas A&M University Ph.D. dissertation, pp. 107-128 (1997)); (3) the Arabidopsis ubiquitin extension protein promoters (Callis et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265(21):12486-93 (1990)); (4) a tomato ubiquitin gene promoter (Rollfinke et al., Gene. 211(2):267-76 (1998)); (5) a soybean heat shock protein promoter (Schoffl et al., Mol Gen Genet. 217(2-3):246-53 (1989)); and (6) a maize H3 histone gene promoter (Atanassova et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 37(2):275-85 (1989)).

Another useful feature of the annexin promoter is its expression profile in developing seeds. The annexin promoter is most active in developing seeds at early stages (before 10 days after pollination) and is largely quiescent in later stages. The expression profile of the annexin promoter is different from that of many seed-specific promoters, e.g., seed storage protein promoters, which often provide highest activity in later stages of development (Chen et al., Dev. Genet. 10:112-122 (1989); Ellerstrom et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 32:1019-1027 (1996); Keddie et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 24:327-340 (1994); Plant et al., (supra); Li, (supra)). The annexin promoter has a more conventional expression profile but remains distinct from other known seed specific promoters. Thus, the annexin promoter will be a very attractive candidate when overexpression, or suppression, of a gene in embryos is desired at an early developing stage. For example, it may be desirable to overexpress a gene regulating early embryo development or a gene involved in the metabolism prior to seed maturation.

Following identification of an appropriate promoter suitable for expression of a specific delta-9 elongase coding sequence, the promoter is then operably linked in a sense orientation using conventional means well known to those skilled in the art.

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used herein are well known in the art and are described more fully in Sambrook, J. et al., In Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; 2^(nd) ed.; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989 (hereinafter “Sambrook et al., 1989”) or Ausubel, F. M., Brent, R., Kingston, R. E., Moore, D. D., Seidman, J. G., Smith, J. A. and Struhl, K., Eds.; In Current Protocols in Molecular Biology; John Wiley and Sons: New York, 1990 (hereinafter “Ausubel et al., 1990”).

Once the recombinant construct has been made, it may then be introduced into a plant cell of choice by methods well known to those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., transfection, transformation and electroporation). Oilseed plant cells are the preferred plant cells. The transformed plant cell is then cultured and regenerated under suitable conditions permitting expression of the long-chain PUFA which is then optionally recovered and purified.

The recombinant constructs of the invention may be introduced into one plant cell; or, alternatively, each construct may be introduced into separate plant cells.

Expression in a plant cell may be accomplished in a transient or stable fashion as is described above.

The desired long-chain PUFAs can be expressed in seed. Also within the scope of this invention are seeds or plant parts obtained from such transformed plants.

Plant parts include differentiated and undifferentiated tissues including, but not limited to the following: roots, stems, shoots, leaves, pollen, seeds, tumor tissue and various forms of cells and culture (e.g., single cells, protoplasts, embryos and callus tissue). The plant tissue may be in plant or in a plant organ, tissue or cell culture.

Thus, this invention also concerns a method for transforming a cell, comprising transforming a cell with the recombinant construct of the invention and selecting those cells transformed with the recombinant construct of the invention.

Also of interest is a method for producing a transformed plant comprising transforming a plant cell with the delta-9 elongase polynucleotides of the instant invention and regenerating a plant from the transformed plant cell. One embodiment concerns a plant comprising in its genome the recombinant construct of the invention. Suitable plants include, but are not limited to, soybean, Brassica species, sunflower, maize, cotton, flax and safflower.

Methods for transforming dicots (primarily by use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens) and obtaining transgenic plants have been published, among others, for: cotton (U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,863; U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,135); soybean (U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,834; U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,011); Brassica (U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,174); peanut (Cheng et al. Plant Cell Rep. 15:653-657 (1996); McKently et al. Plant Cell Rep. 14:699-703 (1995)); papaya (Ling, K. et al. Bio/technology 9:752-758 (1991)); and pea (Grant et al. Plant Cell Rep. 15:254-258 (1995)). For a review of other commonly used methods of plant transformation see Newell, C. A. (Mol. Biotechnol. 16:53-65 (2000)). One of these methods of transformation uses Agrobacterium rhizogenes (Tepfler, M. and Casse-Delbart, F. Microbiol. Sci. 4:24-28 (1987)). Transformation of soybeans using direct delivery of DNA has been published using PEG fusion (PCT Publication No. WO 92/17598), electroporation (Chowrira, G. M. et al., Mol. Biotechnol. 3:17-23 (1995); Christou, P. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84:3962-3966 (1987)), microinjection and particle bombardement (McCabe, D. E. et. al., Bio/Technology 6:923 (1988); Christou et al., Plant Physiol. 87:671-674 (1988)).

There are a variety of methods for the regeneration of plants from plant tissue. The particular method of regeneration will depend on the starting plant tissue and the particular plant species to be regenerated. The regeneration, development and cultivation of plants from single plant protoplast transformants or from various transformed explants is well known in the art (Weissbach and Weissbach, In: Methods for Plant Molecular Biology, (Eds.), Academic: San Diego, Calif. (1988)). This regeneration and growth process typically includes the steps of selection of transformed cells and culturing those individualized cells through the usual stages of embryonic development through the rooted plantlet stage. Transgenic embryos and seeds are similarly regenerated. The resulting transgenic rooted shoots are thereafter planted in an appropriate plant growth medium such as soil. Preferably, the regenerated plants are self-pollinated to provide homozygous transgenic plants. Otherwise, pollen obtained from the regenerated plants is crossed to seed-grown plants of agronomically important lines. Conversely, pollen from plants of these important lines is used to pollinate regenerated plants. A transgenic plant of the present invention containing a desired polypeptide is cultivated using methods well known to one skilled in the art.

In addition to the above discussed procedures, practitioners are familiar with the standard resource materials which describe specific conditions and procedures for: the construction, manipulation and isolation of macromolecules (e.g., DNA molecules, plasmids, etc.); the generation of recombinant DNA fragments and recombinant expression constructs; and, the screening and isolating of clones. See, for example: Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor: NY (1989); Maliga et al., Methods in Plant Molecular Biology, Cold Spring Harbor: NY (1995); Birren et al., Genome Analysis: Detecting Genes, Vol. 1, Cold Spring Harbor: NY (1998); Birren et al., Genome Analysis: Analyzing DNA, Vol. 2, Cold Spring Harbor: NY (1998); Plant Molecular Biology: A Laboratory Manual, eds. Clark, Springer: NY (1997).

Examples of PUFAs having at least twenty carbon atoms and four or more carbon-carbon double bonds include, but are not limited to, omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA, DPA and DHA and the omega-6 fatty acid ARA. Seeds obtained from such plants are also within the scope of this invention as well as oil obtained from such seeds.

Microbial Expression Systems, Cassettes and Vectors, and Transformation

The delta-9 elongase genes and gene products described herein may also be produced in heterologous microbial host cells, particularly in the cells of oleaginous yeasts (e.g., Yarrowia lipolytica).

Microbial expression systems and expression vectors containing regulatory sequences that direct high level expression of foreign proteins are well known to those skilled in the art. Any of these could be used to construct chimeric genes for production of any of the gene products of the instant sequences. These chimeric genes could then be introduced into appropriate microorganisms via transformation to provide high-level expression of the encoded enzymes.

Vectors or DNA cassettes useful for the transformation of suitable microbial host cells are well known in the art. The specific choice of sequences present in the construct is dependent upon the desired expression products (supra), the nature of the host cell and the proposed means of separating transformed cells versus non-transformed cells. Typically, however, the vector or cassette contains sequences directing transcription and translation of the relevant gene(s), a selectable marker and sequences allowing autonomous replication or chromosomal integration. Suitable vectors comprise a region 5′ of the gene that controls transcriptional initiation (e.g., a promoter) and a region 3′ of the DNA fragment that controls transcriptional termination (i.e., a terminator). It is most preferred when both control regions are derived from genes from the transformed microbial host cell, although it is to be understood that such control regions need not be derived from the genes native to the specific species chosen as a production host.

Initiation control regions or promoters which are useful to drive expression of the instant delta-9 elongase ORFs in the desired microbial host cell are numerous and familiar to those skilled in the art. Virtually any promoter capable of directing expression of these genes in the selected host cell is suitable for the present invention. Expression in a microbial host cell can be accomplished in a transient or stable fashion. Transient expression can be accomplished by inducing the activity of a regulatable promoter operably linked to the gene of interest. Stable expression can be achieved by the use of a constitutive promoter operably linked to the gene of interest. As an example, when the host cell is yeast, transcriptional and translational regions functional in yeast cells are provided, particularly from the host species (e.g., see PCT Publication Nos. WO 2004/101757 and WO 2006/052870 for preferred transcriptional initiation regulatory regions for use in Yarrowia lipolytica). Any one of a number of regulatory sequences can be used, depending upon whether constitutive or induced transcription is desired, the efficiency of the promoter in expressing the ORF of interest, the ease of construction and the like.

Nucleotide sequences surrounding the translational initiation codon ‘ATG’ have been found to affect expression in yeast cells. If the desired polypeptide is poorly expressed in yeast, the nucleotide sequences of exogenous genes can be modified to include an efficient yeast translation initiation sequence to obtain optimal gene expression. For expression in yeast, this can be done by site-directed mutagenesis of an inefficiently expressed gene by fusing it in-frame to an endogenous yeast gene, preferably a highly expressed gene. Alternatively, one can determine the consensus translation initiation sequence in the host and engineer this sequence into heterologous genes for their optimal expression in the host of interest.

The termination region can be derived from the 3′ region of the gene from which the initiation region was obtained or from a different gene. A large number of termination regions are known and function satisfactorily in a variety of hosts (when utilized both in the same and different genera and species from where they were derived). The termination region usually is selected more as a matter of convenience rather than because of any particular property. Preferably, when the microbial host is a yeast cell, the termination region is derived from a yeast gene (particularly Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Candida, Yarrowia or Kluyveromyces). The 3′-regions of mammalian genes encoding γ-interferon and α-2 interferon are also known to function in yeast. Termination control regions may also be derived from various genes native to the preferred hosts. Optionally, a termination site may be unnecessary; however, it is most preferred if included. Although not intended to be limiting, termination regions useful in the disclosure herein include: ˜100 bp of the 3′ region of the Yarrowia lipolytica extracellular protease (XPR; GenBank Accession No. M17741); the acyl-coA oxidase (Aco3: GenBank Accession No. AJ001301 and No. CAA04661; Pox3: GenBank Accession No. XP_(—)503244) terminators; the Pex20 (GenBank Accession No. AF054613) terminator; the Pex16 (GenBank Accession No. U75433) terminator; the Lip1 (GenBank Accession No. Z50020) terminator; the Lip2 (GenBank Accession No. AJ012632) terminator; and the 3-oxoacyl-coA thiolase (OCT; GenBank Accession No. X69988) terminator.

As one of skill in the art is aware, merely inserting a gene into a cloning vector does not ensure that it will be successfully expressed at the level needed. In response to the need for a high expression rate, many specialized expression vectors have been created by manipulating a number of different genetic elements that control aspects of transcription, translation, protein stability, oxygen limitation and secretion from the microbial host cell. More specifically, some of the molecular features that have been manipulated to control gene expression include: (1) the nature of the relevant transcriptional promoter and terminator sequences; (2) the number of copies of the cloned gene and whether the gene is plasmid-borne or integrated into the genome of the host cell; (3) the final cellular location of the synthesized foreign protein; (4) the efficiency of translation and correct folding of the protein in the host organism; (5) the intrinsic stability of the mRNA and protein of the cloned gene within the host cell; and (6) the codon usage within the cloned gene, such that its frequency approaches the frequency of preferred codon usage of the host cell. Each of these types of modifications are encompassed in the present invention, as means to further optimize expression of the delta-9 elongase described herein.

Once the DNA encoding a polypeptide suitable for expression in an appropriate microbial host cell (e.g., oleaginous yeast) has been obtained (e.g., a chimeric gene comprising a promoter, ORF and terminator), it is placed in a plasmid vector capable of autonomous replication in a host cell, or it is directly integrated into the genome of the host cell. Integration of expression cassettes can occur randomly within the host genome or can be targeted through the use of constructs containing regions of homology with the host genome sufficient to target recombination within the host locus. Where constructs are targeted to an endogenous locus, all or some of the transcriptional and translational regulatory regions can be provided by the endogenous locus.

The preferred method of expressing genes in Yarrowia lipolytica is by integration of linear DNA into the genome of the host, and integration into multiple locations within the genome can be particularly useful when high level expression of genes are desired [e.g., in the Ura3 locus (GenBank Accession No. AJ306421), the Leu2 gene locus (GenBank Accession No. AF260230), the Lys5 gene (GenBank Accession No. M34929), the Aco2 gene locus (GenBank Accession No. AJ001300), the Pox3 gene locus (Pox3: GenBank Accession No. XP_(—)503244; or, Aco3: GenBank Accession No. AJ001301), the delta-12 desaturase gene locus (PCT Publication No. WO2004/104167), the Lip1 gene locus (GenBank Accession No. Z50020) and/or the Lip2 gene locus (GenBank Accession No. AJ012632)].

Advantageously, the Ura3 gene can be used repeatedly in combination with 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-fluorouracil-6-carboxylic acid monohydrate; “5-FOA”) selection (infra) to readily permit genetic modifications to be integrated into the Yarrowia genome in a facile manner.

Where two or more genes are expressed from separate replicating vectors, it is desirable that each vector has a different means of selection and should lack homology to the other construct(s) to maintain stable expression and prevent reassortment of elements among constructs. Judicious choice of regulatory regions, selection means and method of propagation of the introduced construct(s) can be experimentally determined so that all introduced genes are expressed at the necessary levels to provide for synthesis of the desired products.

Constructs comprising the gene of interest may be introduced into a microbial host cell by any standard technique. These techniques include transformation (e.g., lithium acetate transformation [Methods in Enzymology, 194:186-187 (1991)]), protoplast fusion, bolistic impact, electroporation, microinjection, or any other method that introduces the gene of interest into the host cell. More specific teachings applicable for oleaginous yeasts (i.e., Yarrowia lipolytica) include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,880,741 and 5,071,764 and Chen, D. C. et al. (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 48(2):232-235 (1997)).

For convenience, a host cell that has been manipulated by any method to take up a DNA sequence (e.g., an expression cassette) will be referred to as “transformed” or “recombinant” herein. Thus, the term “transformed” and “recombinant” are used interchangeably herein. The transformed host will have at least one copy of the expression construct and may have two or more, depending upon whether the gene is integrated into the genome, amplified or is present on an extrachromosomal element having multiple copy numbers.

The transformed host cell can be identified by various selection techniques, as described in PCT Publication Nos. WO 2004/101757 and WO 2006/052870. Preferred selection methods for use herein are resistance to kanamycin, hygromycin and the amino glycoside G418, as well as ability to grow on media lacking uracil, leucine, lysine, tryptophan or histidine. In alternate embodiments, 5-FOA is used for selection of yeast Ura− mutants. The compound is toxic to yeast cells that possess a functioning URA3 gene encoding orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMP decarboxylase); thus, based on this toxicity, 5-FOA is especially useful for the selection and identification of Ura− mutant yeast strains (Bartel, P. L. and Fields, S., Yeast 2-Hybrid System, Oxford University: New York, v. 7, pp 109-147, 1997). More specifically, one can first knockout the native Ura3 gene to produce a strain having a Ura− phenotype, wherein selection occurs based on 5-FOA resistance. Then, a cluster of multiple chimeric genes and a new Ura3 gene can be integrated into a different locus of the Yarrowia genome to thereby produce a new strain having a Ura+ phenotype. Subsequent integration produces a new Ura3− strain (again identified using 5-FOA selection), when the introduced Ura3 gene is knocked out. Thus, the Ura3 gene (in combination with 5-FOA selection) can be used as a selection marker in multiple rounds of transformation.

Following transformation, substrates suitable for the instant delta-9 elongase (and, optionally other PUFA enzymes that are co-expressed within the host cell) may be produced by the host either naturally or transgenically, or they may be provided exogenously.

Microbial host cells for expression of the instant genes and nucleic acid fragments may include hosts that grow on a variety of feedstocks, including simple or complex carbohydrates, fatty acids, organic acids, oils and alcohols, and/or hydrocarbons over a wide range of temperature and pH values. The genes described in the instant invention can be expressed in an oleaginous yeast (and in particular Yarrowia lipolytica); however, it is contemplated that because transcription, translation and the protein biosynthetic apparatus is highly conserved, any bacteria, yeast, algae and/or fungus will be a suitable microbial host for expression of the present nucleic acid fragments.

Oleaginous yeasts are particularly suitable because these organisms are naturally capable of oil synthesis and accumulation, wherein the oil can comprise greater than about 25% of the cellular dry weight, more preferably greater than about 30% of the cellular dry weight, and most preferably greater than about 40% of the cellular dry weight. Genera typically identified as oleaginous yeast include, but are not limited to: Yarrowia, Candida, Rhodotorula, Rhodosporidium, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon and Lipomyces. More specifically, illustrative oil-synthesizing yeasts include: Rhodosporidium toruloides, Lipomyces starkeyii, L. lipoferus, Candida revkaufi, C. pulcherrima, C. tropicalis, C. utilis, Trichosporon pullans, T. cutaneum, Rhodotorula glutinus, R. graminis, and Yarrowia lipolytica (formerly classified as Candida lipolytica).

Preferred is the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica; and, in a further embodiment, most preferred are the Y. lipolytica strains designated as ATCC #20362, ATCC #8862, ATCC #18944, ATCC #76982 and/or LGAM S(7)1 (Papanikolaou S., and Aggelis G., Bioresour. Technol. 82(1):43-9 (2002)).

Historically, various strains of Y. lipolytica have been used for the manufacture and production of: isocitrate lyase, lipases, polyhydroxyalkanoates, citric acid, erythritol, 2-oxoglutaric acid, γ-decalactone, γ-dodecalatone, and pyruvic acid. Specific teachings applicable for engineering ARA, EPA and DHA production in Y. lipolytica are provided in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0094092, 2006/0115881, and 2006/0110806, respectively.

Other preferred microbial hosts include oleaginous bacteria, algae and other fungi; and, within this broad group of microbial hosts, of particular interest are microorganisms that synthesize omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids (or those that can be genetically engineered for this purpose [e.g., other yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae]). Thus, for example, transformation of Mortierella alpina (which is commercially used for production of ARA) with any of the present delta-9 elongase genes under the control of inducible or regulated promoters could yield a transformant organism capable of synthesizing increased quantities of DGLA. The method of transformation of M. alpina is described by Mackenzie et al. (Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 66:4655 (2000)). Similarly, methods for transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,772.

Metabolic Engineering of Omega-3 and/or Omega-6 Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Microbes

Methods for manipulating biochemical pathways are well known to those skilled in the art, and it is expected that numerous manipulations will be possible to maximize omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid biosynthesis in oleaginous yeasts, and particularly, in Yarrowia lipolytica. This manipulation may require metabolic engineering directly within the PUFA biosynthetic pathway or additional coordinated manipulation of various other metabolic pathways.

In the case of manipulations within the PUFA biosynthetic pathway, it may be desirable to increase the production of LA to enable increased production of omega-6 and/or omega-3 fatty acids. Introducing and/or amplifying genes encoding delta-9 and/or delta-12 desaturases may accomplish this. To maximize production of omega-6 unsaturated fatty acids, it is well known to one skilled in the art that production is favored in a host microorganism that is substantially free of ALA; thus, preferably, the host is selected or obtained by removing or inhibiting delta-15 or omega-3 type desaturase activity that permits conversion of LA to ALA. Alternatively, it may be desirable to maximize production of omega-3 fatty acids (and minimize synthesis of omega-6 fatty acids). In this example, one could utilize a host microorganism wherein the delta-12 desaturase activity that permits conversion of oleic acid to LA is removed or inhibited; subsequently, appropriate expression cassettes would be introduced into the host, along with appropriate substrates (e.g., ALA) for conversion to omega-3 fatty acid derivatives of ALA (e.g., STA, ETrA, ETA, EPA, DPA, DHA).

In alternate embodiments, biochemical pathways competing with the omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathways for energy or carbon, or native PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzymes that interfere with production of a particular PUFA end-product, may be eliminated by gene disruption or down-regulated by other means (e.g., antisense mRNA).

Detailed discussion of manipulations within the PUFA biosynthetic pathway as a means to increase ARA, EPA or DHA (and associated techniques thereof) are presented in PCT Publication Nos. WO 2006/055322, WO 2006/052870 and WO 2006/052871, respectively, as are desirable manipulations in the TAG biosynthetic pathway and the TAG degradation pathway (and associated techniques thereof).

Within the context of the present invention, it may be useful to modulate the expression of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway by any one of the strategies described above.

Microbial Fermentation Processes for PUFA Production

The transformed host cell is grown under conditions that optimize expression of chimeric desaturase genes and produce the greatest and the most economical yield of desired PUFAs. In general, media conditions that may be optimized include the type and amount of carbon source, the type and amount of nitrogen source, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, the amount of different mineral ions, the oxygen level, growth temperature, pH, length of the biomass production phase, length of the oil accumulation phase and the time and method of cell harvest. Yarrowia lipolytica are generally grown in complex media (e.g., yeast extract-peptone-dextrose broth (YPD)) or a defined minimal media that lacks a component necessary for growth and thereby forces selection of the desired expression cassettes (e.g., Yeast Nitrogen Base (DIFCO Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.)).

Fermentation media should contain a suitable carbon source. Suitable carbon sources are taught in, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757. Although it is contemplated that the source of carbon utilized may encompass a wide variety of carbon-containing sources, preferred carbon sources are sugars, glycerol, and/or fatty acids. Most preferred is glucose and/or fatty acids containing between 10-22 carbons.

Nitrogen may be supplied from an inorganic (e.g., (NH₄)₂SO₄) or organic (e.g., urea or glutamate) source. In addition to appropriate carbon and nitrogen sources, the fermentation media must also contain suitable minerals, salts, cofactors, buffers, vitamins and other components known to those skilled in the art suitable for the growth of the oleaginous host and promotion of the enzymatic pathways necessary for PUFA production. Particular attention is given to several metal ions (e.g., Mn⁺², Co⁺², Zn⁺², Mg⁺²) that promote synthesis of lipids and PUFAs (Nakahara, T. et al., Ind. Appl. Single Cell Oils, D. J. Kyle and R. Colin, eds. pp 61-97 (1992)).

Preferred growth media are common commercially prepared media, such as Yeast Nitrogen Base (DIFCO Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.). Other defined or synthetic growth media may also be used and the appropriate medium for growth of the transformant host cells will be known by one skilled in the art of microbiology or fermentation science. A suitable pH range for the fermentation is typically between about pH 4.0 to pH 8.0, wherein pH 5.5 to pH 7.5 is preferred as the range for the initial growth conditions. The fermentation may be conducted under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, wherein microaerobic conditions are preferred.

Typically, accumulation of high levels of PUFAs in oleaginous yeast cells requires a two-stage process, since the metabolic state must be “balanced” between growth and synthesis/storage of fats. Thus, most preferably, a two-stage fermentation process is necessary for the production of PUFAs in oleaginous yeast (e.g., Yarrowia lipolytica). This approach is described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757, as are various suitable fermentation process designs (i.e., batch, fed-batch and continuous) and considerations during growth.

Purification and Processing of PUFA Oils

PUFAs may be found in the host microorganisms and plants as free fatty acids or in esterified forms such as acylglycerols, phospholipids, sulfolipids or glycolipids, and may be extracted from the host cells through a variety of means well-known in the art. One review of extraction techniques, quality analysis and acceptability standards for yeast lipids is that of Z. Jacobs (Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 12(5/6):463-491 (1992)). A brief review of downstream processing is also available by A. Singh and O. Ward (Adv. Appl. Microbiol., 45:271-312 (1997)).

In general, means for the purification of PUFAs may include extraction with organic solvents, sonication, supercritical fluid extraction (e.g., using carbon dioxide), saponification and physical means such as presses, or combinations thereof. One is referred to the teachings of PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757 for additional details. Methods of isolating seed oils are well known in the art: (Young et al., Processing of Fats and Oils, In The Lipid Handbook, Gunstone et al., eds., Chapter 5 pp 253-257; Chapman & Hall: London (1994)). For example, soybean oil is produced using a series of steps involving the extraction and purification of an edible oil product from the oil-bearing seed. Soybean oils and soybean by-products are produced using the generalized steps shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Generalized Steps for Soybean Oil and By-product Production Process Impurities Removed and/or Step Process By-Products Obtained # 1 soybean seed # 2 oil extraction meal # 3 degumming lecithin # 4 alkali or physical refining gums, free fatty acids, pigments # 5 water washing soap # 6 bleaching color, soap, metal # 7 (hydrogenation) # 8 (winterization) stearine # 9 deodorization free fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols, volatiles # 10  oil products

More specifically, soybean seeds are cleaned, tempered, dehulled and flaked, thereby increasing the efficiency of oil extraction. Oil extraction is usually accomplished by solvent (e.g., hexane) extraction but can also be achieved by a combination of physical pressure and/or solvent extraction. The resulting oil is called crude oil. The crude oil may be degummed by hydrating phospholipids and other polar and neutral lipid complexes that facilitate their separation from the nonhydrating, triglyceride fraction (soybean oil). The resulting lecithin gums may be further processed to make commercially important lecithin products used in a variety of food and industrial products as emulsification and release (i.e., antisticking) agents. Degummed oil may be further refined for the removal of impurities (primarily free fatty acids, pigments and residual gums). Refining is accomplished by the addition of a caustic agent that reacts with free fatty acid to form soap and hydrates phosphatides and proteins in the crude oil. Water is used to wash out traces of soap formed during refining. The soapstock byproduct may be used directly in animal feeds or acidulated to recover the free fatty acids. Color is removed through adsorption with a bleaching earth that removes most of the chlorophyll and carotenoid compounds. The refined oil can be hydrogenated, thereby resulting in fats with various melting properties and textures. Winterization (fractionation) may be used to remove stearine from the hydrogenated oil through crystallization under carefully controlled cooling conditions. Deodorization (principally via steam distillation under vacuum) is the last step and is designed to remove compounds which impart odor or flavor to the oil. Other valuable byproducts such as tocopherols and sterols may be removed during the deodorization process. Deodorized distillate containing these byproducts may be sold for production of natural vitamin E and other high-value pharmaceutical products. Refined, bleached, (hydrogenated, fractionated) and deodorized oils and fats may be packaged and sold directly or further processed into more specialized products. A more detailed reference to soybean seed processing, soybean oil production and byproduct utilization can be found in Erickson, Practical Handbook of Soybean Processing and Utilization, The American Oil Chemists' Society and United Soybean Board (1995).

Plant and microbial oils containing PUFAs that have been refined and/or purified can be hydrogenated, to thereby result in fats with various melting properties and textures. Many processed fats (including spreads, confectionery fats, hard butters, margarines, baking shortenings, etc.) require varying degrees of solidity at room temperature and can only be produced through alteration of the source oil's physical properties. This is most commonly achieved through catalytic hydrogenation, a chemical reaction in which hydrogen is added to the unsaturated fatty acid double bonds with the aid of a catalyst such as nickel. For example, high oleic soybean oil contains unsaturated oleic, LA and linolenic fatty acids and each of these can be hydrogenated. Hydrogenation has two primary effects. First, the oxidative stability of the oil is increased as a result of the reduction of the unsaturated fatty acid content. Second, the physical properties of the oil are changed because the fatty acid modifications increase the melting point resulting in a semi-liquid or solid fat at room temperature.

There are many variables which affect the hydrogenation reaction, which in turn alter the composition of the final product. Operating conditions including pressure, temperature, catalyst type and concentration, agitation and reactor design are among the more important parameters that can be controlled. Selective hydrogenation conditions can be used to hydrogenate the more unsaturated fatty acids in preference to the less unsaturated ones. Very light or brush hydrogenation is often employed to increase stability of liquid oils. Further hydrogenation converts a liquid oil to a physically solid fat. The degree of hydrogenation depends on the desired performance and melting characteristics designed for the particular end product. Liquid shortenings (used in the manufacture of baking products, solid fats and shortenings used for commercial frying and roasting operations) and base stocks for margarine manufacture are among the myriad of possible oil and fat products achieved through hydrogenation. A more detailed description of hydrogenation and hydrogenated products can be found in Patterson, H. B. W., Hydrogenation of Fats and Oils: Theory and Practice. The American Oil Chemists' Society (1994).

Hydrogenated oils have become somewhat controversial due to the presence of trans-fatty acid isomers that result from the hydrogenation process. Ingestion of large amounts of trans-isomers has been linked with detrimental health effects including increased ratios of low density to high density lipoproteins in the blood plasma and increased risk of coronary heart disease.

PUFA-Containing Oils for Use in Foodstuffs

The market place currently supports a large variety of food and feed products, incorporating omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acids (particularly ARA, EPA and DHA). It is contemplated that the plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils of the invention comprising PUFAs will function in food and feed products to impart the health benefits of current formulations. Compared to other vegetable oils, the oils of the invention are believed to function similarly to other oils in food applications from a physical standpoint (for example, partially hydrogenated oils such as soybean oil are widely used as ingredients for soft spreads, margarine and shortenings for baking and frying).

Plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils containing omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acids as described herein will be suitable for use in a variety of food and feed products including, but not limited to: food analogs, meat products, cereal products, baked foods, snack foods and dairy products. Additionally, the present plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils may be used in formulations to impart health benefit in medical foods including medical nutritionals, dietary supplements, infant formula as well as pharmaceutical products. One of skill in the art of food processing and food formulation will understand how the amount and composition of the plant and microbial oils may be added to the food or feed product. Such an amount will be referred to herein as an “effective” amount and will depend on the food or feed product, the diet that the product is intended to supplement or the medical condition that the medical food or medical nutritional is intended to correct or treat.

Food analogs can be made using processes well known to those skilled in the art. There can be mentioned meat analogs, cheese analogs, milk analogs and the like. Meat analogs made from soybeans contain soy protein or tofu and other ingredients mixed together to simulate various kinds of meats. These meat alternatives are sold as frozen, canned or dried foods. Usually, they can be used the same way as the foods they replace. Meat alternatives made from soybeans are excellent sources of protein, iron and B vitamins. Examples of meat analogs include, but are not limited to: ham analogs, sausage analogs, bacon analogs, and the like.

Food analogs can be classified as imitation or substitutes depending on their functional and compositional characteristics. For example, an imitation cheese need only resemble the cheese it is designed to replace. However, a product can generally be called a substitute cheese only if it is nutritionally equivalent to the cheese it is replacing and meets the minimum compositional requirements for that cheese. Thus, substitute cheese will often have higher protein levels than imitation cheeses and be fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Milk analogs or nondairy food products include, but are not limited to, imitation milks and nondairy frozen desserts (e.g., those made from soybeans and/or soy protein products).

Meat products encompass a broad variety of products. The term “meat” includes “red meats” produced from cattle, hogs and sheep. In addition to the red meats there are poultry items which include chickens, turkeys, geese, guineas, ducks, fish and shellfish. There is a wide assortment of seasoned and processed meat products: fresh, cured and fried, and cured and cooked. Sausages and hot dogs are examples of processed meat products. Thus, the term “meat products” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, processed meat products.

A cereal food product is a food product derived from the processing of a cereal grain. A cereal grain includes any plant from the grass family that yields an edible grain (seed). The most popular grains are barley, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, rye, sorghum, triticale, wheat and wild rice. Examples of a cereal food product include, but are not limited to: whole grain, crushed grain, grits, flour, bran, germ, breakfast cereals, extruded foods, pastas, and the like.

A baked goods product comprises any of the cereal food products mentioned above and has been baked or processed in a manner comparable to baking (i.e., to dry or harden by subjecting to heat). Examples of a baked good product include, but are not limited to: bread, cakes, doughnuts, bars, pastas, bread crumbs, baked snacks, mini-biscuits, mini-crackers, mini-cookies, and mini-pretzels. As was mentioned above, oils of the invention can be used as an ingredient.

A snack food product comprises any of the above or below described food products.

A fried food product comprises any of the above or below described food products that has been fried.

A health food product is any food product that imparts a health benefit. Many oilseed-derived food products may be considered as health foods.

A beverage can be in a liquid or in a dry powdered form.

For example, there can be mentioned non-carbonated drinks such as fruit juices, fresh, frozen, canned or concentrate; flavored or plain milk drinks, etc. Adult and infant nutritional formulas are well known in the art and commercially available (e.g., Similac®, Ensure®, Jevity®, and Alimentum® from Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories).

Infant formulas are liquids or reconstituted powders fed to infants and young children. “Infant formula” is defined herein as an enteral nutritional product which can be substituted for human breast milk in feeding infants and typically is composed of a desired percentage of fat mixed with desired percentages of carbohydrates and proteins in an aqueous solution (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,285). Based on the worldwide composition studies, as well as levels specified by expert groups, average human breast milk typically contains about 0.20% to 0.40% of total fatty acids (assuming about 50% of calories from fat), and generally the ratio of DHA to ARA would range from about 1:1 to 1:2 (see, e.g., formulations of Enfamil LIPIL™ (Mead Johnson & Company) and Similac Advance™ (Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories)). Infant formulas have a special role to play in the diets of infants because they are often the only source of nutrients for infants, and, although breast-feeding is still the best nourishment for infants, infant formula is a close enough second that babies not only survive but thrive.

A dairy product is a product derived from milk. A milk analog or nondairy product is derived from a source other than milk, for example, soymilk as discussed above. These products include, but are not limited to: whole milk, skim milk, fermented milk products such as yogurt or sour milk, cream, butter, condensed milk, dehydrated milk, coffee whitener, coffee creamer, ice cream, cheese, etc.

Additional food products into which the PUFA-containing oils of the invention could be included are, for example, chewing gums, confections and frostings, gelatins and puddings, hard and soft candies, jams and jellies, white granulated sugar, sugar substitutes, sweet sauces, toppings and syrups, and dry-blended powder mixes.

PUFA-Containing Oils For Use in Health Food Products and Pharmaceuticals

A health food product is any food product that imparts a health benefit and include functional foods, medical foods, medical nutritionals and dietary supplements. Additionally, the plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils of the invention may be used in standard pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., the long-chain PUFA containing oils could readily be incorporated into the any of the above mentioned food products, to thereby produce a functional or medical food). More concentrated formulations comprising PUFAs include capsules, powders, tablets, softgels, gelcaps, liquid concentrates and emulsions which can be used as a dietary supplement in humans or animals other than humans.

PUFA-Containing Oils For Use in Animal Feeds

Animal feeds are generically defined herein as products intended for use as feed or for mixing in feed for animals other than humans. The plant/seed oils and altered seeds of the invention can be used as an ingredient in various animal feeds.

More specifically, although not limited therein, it is expected that the oils of the invention can be used within pet food products, ruminant and poultry food products and aquacultural food products. Pet food products are those products intended to be fed to a pet (e.g., dog, cat, bird, reptile, rodent). These products can include the cereal and health food products above, as well as meat and meat byproducts, soy protein products, grass and hay products (e.g., alfalfa, timothy, oat or brome grass, vegetables). Ruminant and poultry food products are those wherein the product is intended to be fed to an animal (e.g., turkeys, chickens, cattle, swine). As with the pet foods above, these products can include cereal and health food products, soy protein products, meat and meat byproducts, and grass and hay products as listed above. Aquacultural food products (or “aquafeeds”) are those products intended to be used in aquafarming, i.e., which concerns the propagation, cultivation or farming of aquatic organisms and/or animals in fresh or marine waters.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further defined in the following Examples, in which parts and percentages are by weight and degrees are Celsius, unless otherwise stated. It should be understood that these Examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Thus, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

The meaning of abbreviations is as follows: “sec” means second(s), “min” means minute(s), “h” means hour(s), “d” means day(s), “μl” means microliter(s), “mL” means milliliter(s), “L” means liter(s), “μM” means micromolar, “mM” means millimolar, “M” means molar, “mmol” means millimole(s), “μmole” mean micromole(s), “g” means gram(s), “μg” means microgram(s), “ng” means nanogram(s), “U” means unit(s), “bp” means base pair(s) and “kB” means kilobase(s).

Transformation and Cultivation of Yarrowia lipolytica:

Yarrowia lipolytica strains with ATCC Accession Nos. 20362, 76982 and 90812 were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (Rockville, Md.). Yarrowia lipolytica strains were typically grown at 28° C. on YPD agar (1% yeast extract, 2% bactopeptone, 2% glucose, 2% agar).

Transformation of Yarrowia lipolytica was performed according to the method of Chen, D. C. et al. (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 48(2):232-235 (1997)), unless otherwise noted. Briefly, Yarrowia was streaked onto a YPD plate and grown at 30° C. for approximately 18 h. Several large loopfuls of cells were scraped from the plate and resuspended in 1 mL of transformation buffer containing: 2.25 mL of 50% polyethylene glycol (PEG), average MW 3350; 0.125 mL of 2 M Li acetate, pH 6.0; 0.125 mL of 2 M dithiothreitol (DTT); and 50 μg sheared salmon sperm DNA. Then, approximately 500 ng of linearized plasmid DNA was incubated in 100 μL of resuspended cells, and maintained at 39° C. for 1 h with vortex mixing at 15 min intervals. The cells were plated onto selection media plates and maintained at 30° C. for 2 to 3 days. Alternatively, Yarrowia was transformed using the Fast Yeast Transformation Kit™ from Gene Technologies Inc.

For selection of transformants, minimal medium (“MM”) was generally used; the composition of MM is as follows: 0.17% yeast nitrogen base (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.) without ammonium sulfate or amino acids, 2% glucose, 0.1% proline, pH 6.1). Supplements of uracil were added as appropriate to a final concentration of 0.01% (thereby producing “MMU” selection media, prepared with 20 g/L agar).

Fatty Acid Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica:

For fatty acid analysis, cells were collected by centrifugation and lipids were extracted as described in Bligh, E. G. & Dyer, W. J. (Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. 37:911-917 (1959)). Fatty acid methyl esters were prepared by transesterification of the lipid extract with sodium methoxide (Roughan, G. and Nishida, I., Arch Biochem Biophys. 276(1):38-46 (1990)) and subsequently analyzed with a Hewlett-Packard 6890 GC fitted with a 30 m×0.25 mm (i.d.) HP-INNOWAX (Hewlett-Packard) column. The oven temperature was from 170° C. (25 min hold) to 185° C. at 3.5° C./min.

For direct base transesterification, Yarrowia culture (3 mL) was harvested, washed once in distilled water, and dried under vacuum in a Speed-Vac for 5-10 min. Sodium methoxide (100 μL of 1%) was added to the sample, and then the sample was vortexed and rocked for 20 min. After adding 3 drops of 1 M NaCl and 400 μL hexane, the sample was vortexed and spun. The upper layer was removed and analyzed by GC as described above.

Example 1 Synthesis of a Codon-Optimized Delta-6 Elongase Gene Derived from M. alpina

Plasmid pY115 (SEQ ID NO:31), comprising the Isochrysis galbana delta-9 elongase codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (IgD9ES; SEQ ID NO:32), is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0118929, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The Mortierella alpina elongase, codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (MaD6ES; SEQ ID NO:1), was released from pKUNF1-KEA_HD (SEQ ID NO:33, called pKUNF1-KEA and described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0249026, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference) by digestion with NcoI/NotI and the fragment containing MaD6ES was cloned into the NcoI/NotI fragment of pY115 containing the vector backbone and promoter to give pY116 (SEQ ID NO:34). There is a one amino acid change (TS at position 22) between the amino acid sequence coded for by the wild type (SEQ ID NO:4) and the amino acid sequence coded for the codon optimized M. alpina delta-6 elongase (SEQ ID NO:2) that does not affect the activity.

Example 2 Generation of DNA Libraries Containing Novel Delta-9 Elongase Genes

Several libraries of modified fatty acid elongase polynucleotides were generated using recursive sequence recombination. Some of these libraries incorporated diversity from related enzymes while others incorporated random changes. In all cases, the polynucleotide sequence in which the diversity was incorporated was the codon-optimized delta-6 elongase gene derived from M. alpina (SEQ ID NO:1) contained within pY116 (SEQ ID NO:34) as described in Example 1. These libraries were cloned in E. coli and transferred to Yarrowia lipolytica as described in Example 3 and screened for the presence of delta-9 elongase activity as described in Example 4.

A second round of library generation included information obtained during the initial screening as well as further diversity from related enzymes. These libraries were cloned in E. coli and transferred to Yarrowia lipolytica as described in Example 3 and screened for the presence of delta-9 elongase activity as described in Example 4. A third round of library generation included information obtained during the second round of screening as well as further diversity from related enzymes. These libraries were cloned in E. coli and transferred to Yarrowia lipolytica as described in Example 3 and screened for the presence of delta-9 elongase activity as described in Example 4.

Example 3 Construction of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vectors for Expression of Novel Delta-9 Elongase Genes

DNA sequences generated during the first round of recursive sequence recombination (RSR) were cloned in pENTR (INVITROGEN™) and then recombined into pBY1 (SEQ ID NO:35) using the Gateway recombination System (INVITROGEN™). E. coli colonies were harvested from LB-agar plates and used to make plasmid DNA which was transformed into Yarrowia lipolytica. Individual Yarrowia lipolytica colonies were screened as described in Example 4. pBY1 is pY116 with the codon-optimized delta-6 elongase gene derived from M. alpina replaced with the Gateway Reading Frame cassette (INVITROGEN™).

DNA sequences generated during the second and third round of recursive sequence recombination were created incorporating a NcoI restriction enzyme site on the 5′ end of the protein encoding sequence and an NotI restriction enzyme site on the 3′ end of the protein. These DNA sequences were digested with NotI and NcoI and ligated into vector pY116 digested with NcoI and NotI. E. coli colonies were harvested from LB-agar plates and used to make plasmid DNA which was transformed into Yarrowia lipolytica using the protocol describes above (see “Transformation and Cultivation of Yarrowia lipolytica”).

Individual Yarrowia lipolytica colonies were screened as described below in Example 4.

Example 4 Screening of Yarrowia lipolytica Colonies for the Presence of Delta-9 Elongase Activity

In order to identify proteins with delta 9-elongase activity, Yarrowia lipolytica colonies containing the DNA sequences generated during the first round of RSR (described in Example 3), were grown in 96 well plates for three days in media with glycerol to generate a stock culture. This stock culture was then used to inoculate an additional 96 well plate. The Yarrowia lipolytica from the additional 96 well plate were collected by centrifugation and fatty acid esters were analyzed as described above (see “Fatty Acid Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica”). For analysis of proteins generated during the second round of RSR (described in Example 3), Yarrowia lipolytica colonies were grown and analyzed as described previously except the colonies were grown in 96-well plate for two days in media without glycerol. For analysis of proteins generated during the third round of RSR (described in Example 3), Yarrowia lipolytica colonies were harvested directly from agar plates. Yarrowia lipolytica colonies were resuspended in trimethylsulfonium hydroxide and fatty acid esters and analyzed as described above (see “Fatty Acid Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica”).

In all cases, Yarrowia lipolytica colonies that exhibited increased delta 9-elongase activity when compared to the M. alpina elongase, codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (MaD6ES), were screened again for presence of delta-9 elongase activity. Those Yarrowia lipolytica colonies that confirmed an increased delta 9-elongase activity when compared to MaD6ES were used to isolate plasmid DNA. This plasmid DNA was transformed into E. coli and then plasmid DNA was isolated from the E. coli and the nucleotide fragment encoding the novel delta-9 elongases was completely sequenced using standard methods. The resulting DNA sequences (SEQ ID NOs: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29) and corresponding amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOs: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Summary of Yarrowia lipolytica vectors for expression of novel delta-9 elongase genes Gene Nucleotide Gene Amino Acid Vector Gene Name SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 004-3.1b-f2/pY116 004-3.1b-f2 5 6 (SEQ ID NO: 67) 006-2.1b-e11/pY116 006-2.1b-e11 7 8 (SEQ ID NO: 68) 009-2.1b-h9/pY116 009-2.1b-h9 9 10 (SEQ ID NO: 69) 010-2.1b-c3/pY116 010-2.1b-c3 11 12 (SEQ ID NO: 70) 012-2.1b-d5/pY116 012-2.1b-d5 13 14 (SEQ ID NO: 71) 027-2.1b-e9/pY116 027-2.1b-e9 17 18 (SEQ ID NO: 36) 077-3.1b-b1/pY116 077-3.1b-B1 27 28 (SEQ ID NO: 37) 046-3.1b-c2/pY116 046-3.1b-C2 19 20 (SEQ ID NO: 38) 052-3.1b-c9/pY116 052-3.1b-C9 23 24 (SEQ ID NO: 39) 078-3.1b-b4/pY116 078-3.1b-B4 29 30 (SEQ ID NO: 40) 014-3.1b-f1/pY116 014-3.1b-F1 15 16 (SEQ ID NO: 41) 051-3.1b-b5pY116 051-3.1b-B5 21 22 (SEQ ID NO: 42) 062-3.1b-c5pY116 062-3.1b-C5 25 26 (SEQ ID NO: 43)

Example 5 Construction of Soybean Expression Vectors for Expression of Novel Delta-9 Elongase Genes

In order to test the activity of novel delta-9 elongases, DNA sequences encoding the modified fatty acid elongase polynucleotides described in Example 2 were cloned into soybean expression vectors and transformed into soybean somatic embryos. Fatty acid identities in soybean somatic embryos have previously been shown to be predictive of fatty acid identities in soybean seeds. Soybean expression vectors were made as follows using standard cloning methods well known to those skilled in the art (Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning, CSHL Press, New York).

The soybean expression vector KS366 (SEQ ID NO:44) includes a Beta conglycinin alpha′ promoter and a Phaseolin terminator separated by a 486 bp spacer region that is flanked by unique NcoI and NotI restriction sites. KS366 also includes the ampicillin resistance gene for selection on antibiotic. The soybean expression vector KS366 was digested with NcoI and NotI restriction enzymes removing a 0.486 kb (NcoI/NotI) fragment containing a spacer from the middle of the Beta conglycinin promoter and Phaseolin terminator leaving a 4.727 kb (NcoI/NotI) fragment. The 0.954 kb (NcoI/NotI) fragment containing the novel delta-9 elongase was removed from its pY116 based vector by digesting with NcoI and NotI restriction enzymes. The fragments were isolated by size on a 1% agarose gel and purified on a Zymoclean™ Gel DNA spin column (Zymo Research, catalogue number D4002). The NcoI/NotI elongase fragment was then ligated directionally into KS366. The resulting vectors are shown in Table 4.

Each of the final vectors containing the novel delta-9 elongase (Table 4) were co-bombarded in a 10:1 molar ratio with KS120 (SEQ ID NO:45), a vector containing a hygromycin B phosphotransferase (HPT) obtained from E. coli strain W677 under the control of a T7 promoter and the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter. Plasmid KS120 contains the T7 promoter/HPT/T7 terminator cassette for expression of the HPT enzyme in certain strains of E. coli, such as NovaBlue(DE3) [Novagen®], that are lysogenic for lambda DE3 (which carries the T7 RNA Polymerase gene under lacV5 control). Plasmid KS120 also contains the 35S/HPT/NOS cassette for constitutive expression of the HPT enzyme in plants, such as soybean. The combination of KS366 and KS120 allows selection for growth in the presence of hygromycin to be used as a means of identifying cells that contain the plasmid in both bacterial and plant systems.

A summary of soybean vectors for expression of novel delta-9 elongase genes is shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Summary of soybean vectors for expression of novel delta-9 elongase genes Gene Nucleotide Gene Amino Acid Vector Gene Name SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: KS367 MaD6ES 1 2 (SEQ ID NO: 46) KS374 027-2.1b.e9 17 18 (SEQ ID NO: 47) KS375 014-3.1b-F1 15 16 (SEQ ID NO: 48) KS380 062-3.1b-C5 25 26 (SEQ ID NO: 49) KS382 051-3.1b-B5 21 22 (SEQ ID NO: 50) KS383 078-3.1b-B4 29 30 (SEQ ID NO: 51) KS384 046-3.1b-C2 19 20 (SEQ ID NO: 52) KS385 052-3.1b-C9 23 24 (SEQ ID NO: 53) KS386 077-3.1b-B1 27 28 (SEQ ID NO: 54) KS376 004-3.1b-f2 5 6 (SEQ ID NO: 76) KS372 006-2.1b-e11 7 8 (SEQ ID NO: 75) KS369 009-2.1b-h9 9 10 (SEQ ID NO: 72) KS370 010-2.1b-c3 11 12 (SEQ ID NO: 73) KS371 012-2.1b-c3 13 14 (SEQ ID NO: 74)

Example 6 Primary Sequence Analysis of novel Delta-9 Elongase Sequences

The amino acid sequences of novel delta-9 elongases (SEQ ID NOs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) were compared to M. alpine elongase, codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (MaD6ES; SEQ ID NO:2) using the Clustal V method (Higgins, D. G. and Sharp, P. M., Comput. Appl. Biosci. 5:151-153 (1989); Higgins et al., Comput. Appl. Biosci. 8:189-191 (1992)) using the MegAlign™ v6.1 program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.) with the default parameters for pairwise alignment (KTUPLE=1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5 and GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10) as shown in FIG. 2.

The amino acid sequences of novel delta-9 elongases shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NOs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) contained at least one of the following modifications when compared to the amino acid sequence of the Mortierella alpine delta-6 elongase, codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (MaD6ES; SEQ ID NO:2).

-   -   (a) at amino acid residue number 5, substitution of alanine (A)         with valine (V),     -   (b) at amino acid residue number 9, substitution of proline (P)         with leucine (L),     -   (c) at amino acid residue number 62 substitution of glutamic         acid (E) with aspartic acid (D),     -   (d) at amino acid residue number 79, substitution of leucine (L)         with methionine (M),     -   (e) at amino acid residue number 80, substitution isoleucine (I)         with of leucine (L),     -   (f) at amino acid residue number 106, substitution of         phenylalanine (F) with tyrosine (Y),     -   (g) at amino acid residue number 110, substitution of         histidine (H) with tyrosine (Y),     -   (h) at amino acid residue number 117, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (i) at amino acid residue number 130, substitution of         tyrosine (Y) with phenylalanine (F),     -   (j) at amino acid residue number 138, substitution of glutamic         acid (E) with glutamine (Q),     -   (k) at amino acid residue number 162, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (l) at amino acid residue number 169, substitution of         methionine (M) with leucine (L),     -   (m) at amino acid residue number 171, substitution of         methionine (M) with leucine (L),     -   (n) at amino acid residue number 174, substitution of lysine (K)         with arginine (R),     -   (o) at amino acid residue number 191, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (p) at amino acid residue number 208, substitution tyrosine (Y)         with tryptophan (W),     -   (q) at amino acid residue number 213, substitution of         leucine (L) with methionine (M),     -   (r) at amino acid residue number 237, substitution of         phenylalanine (F) with leucine (L),     -   (s) at amino acid residue number 242, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (t) at amino acid residue number 253, substitution of         methionine (M) with leucine (L),     -   (u) at amino acid residue number 276, substitution of         isoleucine (I) with leucine (L),     -   (v) at amino acid residue number 277, substitution of         threonine (T) with alanine (A),     -   (w) at amino acid residue number 287, substitution of         methionine (M) with leucine (L),     -   (x) at amino acid residue number 297, substitution of lysine (K)         with arginine (R);

Sequence percent identity calculations performed by the BlastP and Clustal V method as described above. Sequence percent identity calculations performed by the Jotun Hein method (Hein, J. J., Meth. Enz. 183:626-645 (1990)) were done using the MegAlign™ v6.1 program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.) with the default parameters for pairwise alignment (KTUPLE=2). FIG. 3 shows the sequence identity table of the amino acid sequence of novel delta-9 elongases (SEQ ID NOs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) compared to M. alpine elongase, codon optimized for expression in Yarrowia (MaD6ES; SEQ ID NO:2).

Example 7 Production and Model System Transformation of Somatic Soybean Embryo Cultures with Soybean Expression Vectors and Plant Regeneration

Culture Conditions:

Soybean embryogenic suspension cultures (cv. Jack) are maintained in 35 mL liquid medium SB196 (infra) on a rotary shaker, 150 rpm, 26° C. with cool white fluorescent lights on 16:8 hr day/night photoperiod at light intensity of 60-85 μE/m2/s. Cultures are subcultured every 7 days to two weeks by inoculating approximately 35 mg of tissue into 35 mL of fresh liquid SB196 (the preferred subculture interval is every 7 days).

Soybean embryogenic suspension cultures are transformed with the soybean expression plasmids by the method of particle gun bombardment (Klein et al., Nature 327:70 (1987)) using a DuPont Biolistic PDS1000/HE instrument (helium retrofit) for all transformations.

Soybean Embryogenic Suspension Culture Initiation:

Soybean cultures are initiated twice each month with 5-7 days between each initiation. Pods with immature seeds from available soybean plants are picked 45-55 days after planting. Seeds are removed from the pods and placed into a sterilized magenta box. The soybean seeds are sterilized by shaking them for 15 min in a 5% Clorox solution with 1 drop of Ivory soap (i.e., 95 mL of autoclaved distilled water plus 5 mL Clorox and 1 drop of soap, mixed well). Seeds are rinsed using 2 1-liter bottles of sterile distilled water and those less than 4 mm are placed on individual microscope slides. The small end of the seed is cut and the cotyledons pressed out of the seed coat. When cultures are being prepared for production transformation, cotyledons are transferred to plates containing SB1 medium (25-30 cotyledons per plate). Plates are wrapped with fiber tape and are maintained at 26° C. with cool white fluorescent lights on 16:8 h day/night photoperiod at light intensity of 60-80 μE/m2/s for eight weeks, with a media change after 4 weeks. When cultures are being prepared for model system experiments, cotyledons are transferred to plates containing SB199 medium (25-30 cotyledons per plate) for 2 weeks, and then transferred to SB1 for 2-4 weeks. Light and temperature conditions are the same as described above. After incubation on SB1 medium, secondary embryos are cut and placed into SB196 liquid media for 7 days.

Preparation of DNA for Bombardment:

Either an intact plasmid or a DNA plasmid fragment containing the genes of interest and the selectable marker gene are used for bombardment. Fragments from soybean expression plasmids are obtained by gel isolation of digested plasmids. In each case, 100 μg of plasmid DNA is used in 0.5 mL of the specific enzyme mix described below. Plasmids are digested with AscI (100 units) in NEBuffer 4 (20 mM Tris-acetate, 10 mM magnesium acetate, 50 mM potassium acetate, 1 mM dithiothreitol, pH 7.9), 100 μg/mL BSA, and 5 mM beta-mercaptoethanol at 37° C. for 1.5 hr. The resulting DNA fragments are separated by gel electrophoresis on 1% SeaPlaque GTG agarose (BioWhitaker Molecular Applications), and the DNA fragments containing gene cassettes are cut from the agarose gel. DNA is purified from the agarose using the GELase digesting enzyme following the manufacturer's protocol.

A 50 μL aliquot of sterile distilled water containing 3 mg of gold particles (3 mg gold) is added to 30 μL of a 10 ng/μL DNA solution (either intact plasmid or DNA fragment prepared as described herein), 25 μL 5M CaCl₂ and 20 μL of 0.1 M spermidine. The mixture is shaken 3 min on level 3 of a vortex shaker and spun for 10 sec in a bench microfuge. The supernatant is removed, followed by a wash with 400 μL 100% ethanol and another brief centrifugation. The 400 μl ethanol is removed and the pellet is resuspended in 40 μL of 100% ethanol. Five μL of DNA suspension is dispensed to each flying disk of the Biolistic PDS1000/HE instrument disk. Each 5 μL aliquot contains approximately 0.375 mg gold per bombardment (e.g., per disk).

For model system transformations, the protocol is identical except for a few minor changes (i.e., 1 mg of gold particles is added to 5 μL of a 1 μg/μL DNA solution, 50 μL of a 2.5M CaCl₂ is used and the pellet is ultimately resuspended in 85 μL of 100% ethanol thus providing 0.058 mg of gold particles per bombardment).

Tissue Preparation and Bombardment with DNA:

Approximately 150-200 mg of seven day old embryogenic suspension cultures is placed in an empty, sterile 60×15 mm petri dish and the dish is covered with plastic mesh. The chamber is evacuated to a vacuum of 27-28 inches of mercury (685.8-711.2 mmHg), and tissue is bombarded one or two shots per plate with membrane rupture pressure set at 1100 PSI (77.356 kg/cm). Tissue is placed approximately 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) from the retaining/stopping screen. Model system transformation conditions are identical except 100-150 mg of embryogenic tissue is used, rupture pressure is set at 650 PSI and tissue is place approximately 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) from the retaining screen.

Selection of Transformed Embryos:

Transformed embryos are selected either using hygromycin (when the hygromycin B phosphotransferase (HPT) gene is used as the selectable marker) or chlorsulfuron (when the acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene is used as the selectable marker).

Following bombardment, the tissue is placed into fresh SB196 media and cultured as described above. Six to eight days post-bombardment, the SB196 is exchanged with fresh SB196 containing either 30 mg/L hygromycin or 100 ng/mL chlorsulfuron, depending on the selectable marker used. The selection media is refreshed weekly. Four to six weeks post-selection, green, transformed tissue is observed growing from untransformed, necrotic embryogenic clusters.

Embryo Maturation:

For production transformations, isolated, green tissue is removed and inoculated into multiwell plates to generate new, clonally propagated, transformed embryogenic suspension cultures. Transformed embryogenic clusters are cultured for four-six weeks in multiwell plates at 26° C. in SB196 under cool white fluorescent (Phillips cool white Econowatt F40/CW/RS/EW) and Agro (Phillips F40 Agro) bulbs (40 watt) on a 16:8 hr photoperiod with light intensity of 90-120 μE/m²s. After this time embryo clusters are removed to a solid agar media, SB166, for one-two weeks and then subcultured to SB103 medium for 3-4 weeks to mature embryos. After maturation on plates in SB103, individual embryos are removed from the clusters, dried and screened for alterations in their fatty acid compositions as described previously.

For model system transformations, embryos are matured in soybean histodifferentiation and maturation liquid medium (SHaM liquid media; Schmidt et al., Cell Biology and Morphogenesis 24:393 (2005)) using a modified procedure. Briefly, after 4 weeks of selection in SB196 as described above, embryo clusters are removed to 35 mL of SB228 (SHaM liquid media) in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Tissue is maintained in SHaM liquid media on a rotary shaker at 130 rpm and 26° C. with cool white fluorescent lights on a 16:8 hr day/night photoperiod at a light intensity of 60-85 μE/m2/s for 2 weeks as embryos mature. Embryos grown for 2 weeks in SHaM liquid media are equivalent in size and fatty acid content to embryos cultured on SB166/SB103 for 5-8 weeks.

After maturation in SHaM liquid media, individual embryos are removed from the clusters, dried and screened for alterations in their fatty acid compositions as described previously.

Media Recipes:

SB 196 - FN Lite Liquid Proliferation Medium (per liter) MS FeEDTA - 100x Stock 1 10 mL MS Sulfate - 100x Stock 2 10 mL FN Lite Halides - 100x Stock 3 10 mL FN Lite P, B, Mo - 100x Stock 4 10 mL B5 vitamins (1 mL/L) 1.0 mL 2,4-D (10 mg/L final concentration) 1.0 mL KNO₃ 2.83 gm (NH₄)₂SO₄ 0.463 gm asparagine 1.0 gm sucrose (1%) 10 gm pH 5.8

FN Lite Stock Solutions Stock Number 1000 mL 500 mL 1 MS Fe EDTA 100x Stock Na₂ EDTA* 3.724 g 1.862 g FeSO₄—7H₂O 2.784 g 1.392 g 2 MS Sulfate 100x stock MgSO₄—7H₂O 37.0 g 18.5 g MnSO₄—H₂O 1.69 g 0.845 g ZnSO₄—7H₂O 0.86 g 0.43 g CuSO₄—5H₂O 0.0025 g 0.00125 g 3 FN Lite Halides 100x Stock CaCl₂—2H₂O 30.0 g 15.0 g KI 0.083 g 0.0715 g CoCl₂—6H₂O 0.0025 g 0.00125 g 4 FN Lite P, B, Mo 100x Stock KH₂PO₄ 18.5 g 9.25 g H₃BO₃ 0.62 g 0.31 g Na₂MoO₄—2H₂O 0.025 g 0.0125 g *Add first, dissolve in dark bottle while stirring

SB1 Solid Medium (Per Liter)

1 package MS salts (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 11117-066)

1 mL B5 vitamins 1000× stock

31.5 g glucose

2 mL 2,4-D (20 mg/L final concentration)

pH 5.7

8 g TC agar

SB199 Solid Medium (Per Liter)

1 package MS salts (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 11117-066)

1 mL B5 vitamins 1000× stock

30 g Sucrose

4 ml 2,4-D (40 mg/L final concentration)

pH 7.0

2 gm Gelrite

SB 166 Solid Medium (Per Liter)

1 package MS salts (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 11117-066)

1 mL B5 vitamins 1000× stock

60 g maltose

750 mg MgCl₂ hexahydrate

5 g activated charcoal

pH 5.7

2 g gelrite

SB 103 Solid Medium (Per Liter)

1 package MS salts (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 11117-066)

1 mL B5 vitamins 1000× stock

60 g maltose

750 mg MgCl2 hexahydrate

pH 5.7

2 g gelrite

SB 71-4 Solid Medium (Per Liter)

1 bottle Gamborg's B5 salts w/ sucrose (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 21153-036)

pH 5.7

5 g TC agar

2,4-D Stock

Obtain premade from Phytotech Cat. No. D 295—concentration 1 mg/mL

B5 Vitamins Stock (Per 100 mL)

Store aliquots at −20° C.

10 g myo-inositol

100 mg nicotinic acid

100 mg pyridoxine HCl

1 g thiamine

If the solution does not dissolve quickly enough, apply a low level of heat via the hot stir plate.

SB 228 - Soybean Histodifferentiation & Maturation (SHaM) (per liter) DDI H₂O 600 mL FN-Lite Macro Salts for SHaM 10X 100 mL MS Micro Salts 1000x 1 mL MS FeEDTA 100x 10 mL CaCl 100x 6.82 mL B5 Vitamins 1000x 1 mL L-Methionine 0.149 g Sucrose 30 g Sorbitol 30 g Adjust volume to 900 mL pH 5.8 Autoclave Add to cooled media (≦30° C.): *Glutamine (final concentration 30 mM) 4% 110 mL *Note: Final volume will be 1010 mL after glutamine addition. Since glutamine degrades relatively rapidly, it may be preferable to add immediately prior to using media. Expiration 2 weeks after glutamine is added; base media can be kept longer w/o glutamine.

FN-lite Macro for SHAM 10X - Stock #1 (per liter) (NH₄)2SO₄ (ammonium sulfate) 4.63 g KNO₃ (potassium nitrate) 28.3 g MgSO₄ * 7H₂0 (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) 3.7 g KH₂PO₄ (potassium phosphate, monobasic) 1.85 g Bring to volume Autoclave MS Micro 1000X - Stock #2 (per 1 liter) H₃BO₃ (boric acid) 6.2 g MnSO₄ * H₂O (manganese sulfate monohydrate) 16.9 g ZnSO4 * 7H20 (zinc sulfate heptahydrate) 8.6 g Na₂MoO₄ * 2H20 (sodium molybdate dihydrate) 0.25 g CuSO₄ * 5H₂0 (copper sulfate pentahydrate) 0.025 g CoCl₂ * 6H₂0 (cobalt chloride hexahydrate) 0.025 g KI (potassium iodide) 0.8300 g Bring to volume Autoclave FeEDTA 100X - Stock #3 (per liter) Na₂EDTA* (sodium EDTA) 3.73 g FeSO₄ * 7H₂0 (iron sulfate heptahydrate) 2.78 g *EDTA must be completely dissolved before adding iron. Bring to Volume Solution is photosensitive. Bottle(s) should be wrapped in foil to omit light. Autoclave Ca 100X - Stock #4 (per liter) CaCl₂ * 2H₂0 (calcium chloride dihydrate) 44 g Bring to Volume Autoclave B5 Vitamin 1000X - Stock #5 (per liter) Thiamine * HCl 10 g Nicotinic Acid 1 g Pyridoxine * HCl 1 g Myo-Inositol 100 g Bring to Volume Store frozen 4% Glutamine - Stock #6 (per liter) DDI water heated to 30° C. 900 mL L-Glutamine 40 g Gradually add while stirring and applying low heat. Do not exceed 35° C. Bring to Volume Filter Sterilize Store frozen* *Note: Warm thawed stock in 31° C. bath to fully dissolve crystals.

Regeneration of Soybean Somatic Embryos Into Plants:

In order to obtain whole plants from embryogenic suspension cultures, the tissue must be regenerated. Embryos are matured as described in above. After subculturing on medium SB103 for 3 weeks, individual embryos can be removed from the clusters and screened for alterations in their fatty acid compositions as described in Example 8. It should be noted that any detectable phenotype, resulting from the expression of the genes of interest, could be screened at this stage. This would include, but not be limited to, alterations in fatty acid profile, protein profile and content, carbohydrate content, growth rate, viability, or the ability to develop normally into a soybean plant.

Matured individual embryos are desiccated by placing them into an empty, small petri dish (35×10 mm) for approximately 4 to 7 days. The plates are sealed with fiber tape (creating a small humidity chamber). Desiccated embryos are planted into SB71-4 medium where they are left to germinate under the same culture conditions described above. Germinated plantlets are removed from germination medium and rinsed thoroughly with water and then are planted in Redi-Earth in 24-cell pack tray, covered with clear plastic dome. After 2 weeks the dome is removed and plants hardened off for a further week. If plantlets looked hardy they are transplanted to a 10″ (25.4 cm) pot of Redi-Earth with up to 3 plantlets per pot. After 10 to 16 weeks, mature seeds are harvested, chipped and analyzed for fatty acids.

Example 8 Fatty Acid Analysis of Transgenic Somatic Soybean Embryos

Mature somatic soybean embryos are a good model for zygotic embryos. While in the globular embryo state in liquid culture, somatic soybean embryos contain very low amounts of triacylglycerol or storage proteins typical of maturing, zygotic soybean embryos. At this developmental stage, the ratio of total triacylglyceride to total polar lipid (phospholipids and glycolipid) is about 1:4, as is typical of zygotic soybean embryos at the developmental stage from which the somatic embryo culture was initiated. At the globular stage as well, the mRNAs for the prominent seed proteins, α′-subunit of β-conglycinin, kunitz trypsin inhibitor 3, and seed lectin are essentially absent. Upon transfer to hormone-free media to allow differentiation to the maturing somatic embryo state, triacylglycerol becomes the most abundant lipid class. As well, mRNAs for α′-subunit of β-conglycinin, kunitz trypsin inhibitor 3 and seed lectin become very abundant messages in the total mRNA population. On this basis, the somatic soybean embryo system behaves very similarly to maturing zygotic soybean embryos in vivo, and is thus a good and rapid model system for analyzing the phenotypic effects of modifying the expression of genes in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway (see PCT Publication No. WO 2002/00904, Example 3). Most importantly, the model system is also predictive of the fatty acid composition of seeds from plants derived from transgenic embryos.

A subset of soybean embryos for each event generated from either production transformation or model system transformation (as described in Example 7) are harvested in the following way. Embryos (5-10 embryos) from each event are picked into glass GC vials, and fatty acid methyl esters are prepared by transesterification. For transesterification, 50 μL of trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH) and 0.5 mL of hexane is added to the embryos in glass vials and incubated for 30 min at room temperature while shaking. Fatty acid methyl esters (5 μL injected from hexane layer) are separated and quantified using a Hewlett-Packard 6890 Gas Chromatograph fitted with an Omegawax 320 fused silica capillary column (Cat. No. 24152, Supelco Inc.). The oven temperature is programmed to hold at 220° C. for 2.6 min, increase to 240° C. at 20° C./min and then hold for an additional 2.4 min. Carrier gas is supplied by a Whatman hydrogen generator. Retention times are compared to those for methyl esters of standards commercially available (Nu-Chek Prep, Inc.). Events having good phenotype can be re-analyzed by GC using identical conditions except the oven temperature is held at 150° C. for 1 min and then increased to 240° C. at 5° C.

Example 9 Functional Analysis of a novel Delta-9 Elongase in Yarrowia lipolytica

A uracil ura3 auxotrophic strain of Yarrowia lipolytica (strain Y2224; described in WO200706174; WO2007061845; U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0118929, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, was used for functional assays of the novel delta-9 elongases.

Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224 was grown and transformed with the vectors summarized in Table 3 as described herein.

For delta-9 elongase activity measurements, single colonies of each Yarrowia lipolytica transformant were grown in 3 mL minimal media lacking uracil at 30° C. to an OD₆₀₀˜1.0. Cells were subsequently washed with water, collected by centrifugation and lipids transesterified with sodium methoxide as described supra. Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) from cells containing each vector were analyzed by GC where FAMES (5 μL injected from hexane layer) were separated and quantified using a Hewlett-Packard 6890 Gas Chromatograph fitted with an Omegawax 320 fused silica capillary column (Supelco Inc., Cat. No. 24152). The oven temperature was programmed to hold at 220° C. for 2.7 min, increase to 240° C. at 20° C./min and then hold for an additional 2.3 min. Results are shown in Table 5.

For delta-6 and delta-5 elongase activity measurements, single colonies of each Yarrowia lipolytica transformant were grown in 3 mL minimal media lacking uracil at 30° C. to an OD₆₀₀˜1.0, after which 0.1 mL was transferred to 3 mL of the same medium supplemented with GLA (for delta-6 elongase activity measurements) or EPA (for delta-5 elongase activity measurements) to a final concentration of 0.175 mM. These were incubated for 16 h at 30° C., 250 rpm, pellets were obtained by centrifugation and fatty acids were analyzed as described above (see “Fatty Acid Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica). Results are shown in Table 5.

In Table 5, elongation activity is calculated according to the following formula: ([product]/[substrate+product])*100. More specifically, the percent elongation for GLA (46% Conv.) is determined by the formula: ([DGLA]/[DGLA+GLA])*100, the percent elongation for EPA (45% Conv.) is determined by the formula: ([DPA]/[DPA+EPA])*100, the percent elongation for LA (18:2 to 20:2% Conv.) is determined by the formula: ([EDA]/[EDA+LA])*100 and, the percent elongation for OA (18:1 to 20:1% Conv.) is determined by the formula: ([20:1]/[20:1+OA])*100. The total delta-9% conversion activity (delta-9% Conv.) represents the total elongation of OA, LA and ALA and is calculated as ([ERA+EDA+20:1]/[ERA+EDA+20:1+OA+LA+ALA]*100).

TABLE 5 Elongation activity expressed as % conversion (% Conv.) of the novel Delta-9 Elongase in Yarrowia lipolytica. Sample Δ6 Δ5 18:2 to 20:2 18:1 to 20:1 Δ9 Name % Conv. % Conv. % Conv. % Conv. % Conv. pY116 74.11 2.21  1.64 0.52 0.98 027-2.1b 60.93 5.88  4.85 2.37 3.42 077-3.1b-B1 42.64 1.19  7.91 2.98 5.30 046-3.1b-C2 58.67 2.34  8.02 3.04 5.04 052-3.1b-C9 51.54 4.91  8.00 3.22 4.92 078-3.1b-B4 59.34 3.55  8.07 3.44 5.33 pY115  0.90 0.00 11.13 0.60 5.73 014-3.1b-F1 61.42 3.73  8.36 3.70 5.98 051-3.1b-B5 62.00 5.23  9.79 3.68 5.93 062-3.1b-C5 60.47 3.97  9.93 3.99 6.11

Example 10 Functional Analysis of a novel Delta-9 Elongase in Somatic Soybean Embryos

Soybean embryogenic suspension culture (cv. Jack) was transformed with each of the vectors described in Table 4 (Example 5), and embryos were matured in soybean histodifferentiation and maturation liquid medium (SHaM liquid media; Schmidt et al., Cell Biology and Morphogenesis, 24:393 (2005)), as described in Example 7 and previously described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0292924 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference).

After maturation in SHaM liquid media, a subset of transformed soybean embryos (i.e., 5-6 embryos per event) were harvested and fatty acids analyzed as described in Example 8.

In this way, approximately 30 events transformed with each of the vectors described in Table 4 and KS120 were analyzed. A summary of the total delta-9 elongation activity for each event (average of 5 embryos) from all experiments is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, delta-9% conversion activity (delta-9% Conv.) represents the total elongation of OA, LA and ALA and is calculated as ([ERA+EDA+20:1]/[ERA+EDA+20:1+OA+LA+ALA]*100).

The results for events with the highest delta-9 elongation activity (delta-9% Conv.) for each experiment is summarized in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Highest delta-9% conversion in somatic soybean embryo events transformed with expression cassettes described in Example 5. Model Highest System delta- Number Event Gene Name 9% Conv. 2124 046-3.1b 046-3.1b-C2 44.55 2126 077-3.1b 077-3.1b-B1 43.64 2122 078-3.1b 078-3.1b-B4 40.14 2100 004-3.1b 004-3.1b-f2 33.15 2121 051-3.1b 051-3.1b-B5 40.53 2099 014-3.1b 014-3.1b-F1 35.84 2059 012-2.1b 012-2.1b-c3 40.05 2058 010-2.1b 010-2.1b-c3 37.08 2060 006-2.1b 006-2.1b-e11 33.44 2057 009-2.1b 009-2.1b-c3 29.18 2055 M. alpina MaD6ES 27.24

Example 11 Cloning a Novel Delta-9 Elongase Gene into a Yarrowia Expression Vector And Functional Characterization of Delta-9 Elongase and Delta-5 Elongase Activities

The present example describes the creation of a novel delta-9 elongase by combining together DNA fragments from individual novel elongases. Specifically, the 5′ end of novel elongase 077-3.1b-B1 (SEQ ID NO:27) was combined with the 3′ end of novel elongase 051-3.1b-B5 (SEQ ID NO:21), as described below, in an attempt to further enhance either delta-9 or delta-5 elongating activities as described below.

The NcoI/BsrGI fragment of KS386 (SEQ ID NO:54), containing the 5′ end of the 077-3.1b-B1 was cloned into the BsrGI/NcoI fragment of KS382 (SEQ ID NO:50), containing the 3′ end of 051-3.1b-B5, to produce pLF128 (SEQ ID NO:55). In this way, a new novel elongase, called MaD9elSHFL-4 was formed, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of MaD9elSHFL-4 are set forth in SEQ ID NO:56 and SEQ ID NO:57, respectively.

The NcoI/NotI fragment of pLF128 (SEQ ID NO:55), containing MaD9elSHFL-4 (SEQ ID NO:56), was cloned into the NotI/NcoI fragment of pY115 (SEQ ID NO:31), containing the vector backbone and promoter, to produce pY183 (SEQ ID NO:58). In this way, MaD9elSHFL-4 (SEQ ID NO:57) could be expressed in Yarrowia under control of a strong, constitutive promoter.

Vectors pY116 (SEQ ID NO:34), 077-3.1b-b1/pY116 (SEQ ID NO:37), 051-3.1b-b5/pY116 (SEQ ID NO:42) and pY183 (SEQ ID NO:58) were transformed into Yarrowia lipolytica (strain Y2224) as described herein. Three transformants for each vector were grown as described in Example 9 and used for delta-9 elongase activity measurements. EPA feeding experiments for delta-5 elongase activity measurements were also carried out as described in Example 9. Delta-6 elongase activities were not measured. Results for an average of three transformants are shown in Table 7 and elongation activities are calculated as described in Example 8.

TABLE 7 Elongation activity expressed as % conversion of the novel Delta-9 Elongase in Yarrowia lipolytica. Δ5 18:2 to 20:2 18:1 to 20:1 Δ9 Sample Name % Conv. % Conv. % Conv. % Conv. pY116 1.57 1.52 2.27 1.69 pY 077-3.1b-B1 1.72 6.18 4.01 5.74 pY 051-3.1b-B5 4.35 8.55 5.35 7.91 pY183 4.28 9.56 5.75 8.79

Table 7 shows that the delta-5 elongation activity MaD9elSHFL-4 (pY183) is similar to that of 051-3.1b-B5 while the delta-9 elongase activity of pY183 is improved over 051-3.1b-B5.

Example 12 Cloning a Novel Delta-9 Elongase Gene into a Soy Expression Vector And Functional Characterization of Delta-9 Elongase and Delta-5 Elongase Activities

The present example describes the creation of vectors for co-expressing either MaD6ES (SEQ ID NO:1) or MaD9elSHFL-4 (SEQ ID NO:56) with other LCPUFA biosynthetic genes in order to produce EPA and DPA in soy somatic embryos. The creation of a soy expression vector pKR1230 (SEQ ID NO: 63) comprising MaD6ES (which is the Euglena gracilis delta-8 desaturase (EgD8; SEQ ID NO:59) described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0195939, the contents of which are incorporated by reference) and the Mortierella alpina delta-5 desaturase (MaD5; SEQ ID NO:60, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,183 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20070237876 and 2005/0132441, the contents all of which are hereby incorporated by reference) is described. The present example further describes the creation of soy expression vector pKR1231 (SEQ ID NO:64) comprising MaD9elSHFL-4 (SEQ ID NO:56), EgD8 (SEQ ID NO:59), and MaD5 (SEQ ID NO:60). The present example also describes the creation of soy expression vector pKR1232 (SEQ ID NO:65) comprising the Saprolegnia diclina delta-17 desaturase (SdD17; SEQ ID NO:61), which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/071467 and the Fusarium monoliforme delta-15 desaturase (FmD15; SEQ ID NO:63), which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 2005/047479.

Construction of pKR1230 Comprising MaD6ES, EgD8 and MaD5

Vector pKR952 (SEQ ID NO: 78), which is described in PCT Publication No. WO2007/127381, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, contains the MaD5 flanked by the soybean glycinin Gy1 promoter and the pea leguminA2 3′ termination region.

Vector pKR680, which is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0118929, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, contains the EgD8 flanked by the Kunitz soybean Trypsin Inhibitor (KTi) promoter (Jofuku et al., Plant Cell 1:1079-1093 (1989)) and the KTi 3′ and soy albumin termination region.

The BsiWI fragment of pKR680, containing the EgD8, was cloned in to the BsiWI site of pKR952 to produce pKR954 (SEQ ID NO:66).

Vector pKR197, which was previously described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0237876 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), contains a NotI restriction site, flanked by the promoter for the α′ subunit of β-conglycinin (Beachy et al., EMBO J. 4:3047-3053 (1985)) and the 3′ transcription termination region of the Phaseolin gene (Doyle et al., J. Biol. Chem. 261:9228-9238 (1986)).

Through a number of subcloning steps, a NotI site was added to the 5′ end of MaD6ES (SEQ ID NO:1), thus providing a DNA fragment (MaD6ES-NotI) where MaD6ES is flanked on both ends by NotI sites. The MaD6ES-NotI fragment was cloned into the NotI site of pKR197 to produce pKR1216. Vector pKR1216 was then digested with SbfI/BsiWI and the fragment containing the β-conglycinin/MaD6ES/Phaseolin cassette was cloned into the SbfI/BsiWI fragment of pKR954 (SEQ ID NO:67) containing the EgD8 and MaD5 to produce pKR1230 (SEQ ID NO:63).

Construction of pKR1230 comprising MaD9elSHFL-4, EgD8 and MaD5

Through a number of subcloning steps, a NotI site was added to the 5′ end of MaD9elSHFL-4 from pY183 (SEQ ID NO:58), thus providing a DNA fragment where MaD9elSHFL-4 is flanked on both ends by NotI sites (called MaD9elSHFL-4-NotI)

The MaD9elSHFL-4-NotI fragment was cloned into the NotI site of pKR197 to produce vector pKR1217 Vector pKR1217 was then digested with SbfI/BsiWI and the fragment containing the β-conglycinin/MaD9elSHFL-4/Phaseolin cassette was cloned into the SbfI/BsiWI fragment of pKR954 containing the EgD8 and MaD5 to produce pKR1231 (SEQ ID NO: 64).

Construction of pKR1232 Comprising SdD17 and FmD15

Vector pKR873, which is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0118929, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, contains the SdD17 flanked by the soy annexin promoter and the soy BD30 3′ terminator as well as the FmD15 flanked by the soy albumin promoter and the soy albumin 3′ terminator.

Vector pKR873 was digested with BamHI, and the fragment containing SdD17 and FmD15 was ligated into the BamHI fragment of pKR325 (SEQ ID NO: 79), which is described in PCT Publication No. WO2007/127381, containing the hygromycin gene under control of the 35S promoter to produce pKR1232 (SEQ ID NO:65).

Functional Analysis of MaD6ES or MaD9elSHFL-4 in Soy Somatic Embryos

Soybean embryogenic suspension culture (cv. Jack) was transformed with pKR1232 (SEQ ID NO:65; comprising SdD17 and FmD15) and either pKR1230 (SEQ ID NO:63; comprising MaD6Es, EgD8, MaD5) or pKR1231 (SEQ ID NO:64; comprising MaD9elSHFL-4, EgD8, MaD5) and embryos were matured in soybean histodifferentiation and maturation liquid medium (SHaM liquid media; Schmidt et al., Cell Biology and Morphogenesis, 24:393 (2005)), as described in Example 7 and previously described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0292924 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference).

After maturation in SHaM liquid media, a subset of transformed soybean embryos (i.e., 5-6 embryos per event) were harvested and analyzed as described herein.

In this way, approximately 30 events transformed with pKR1232 and pKR1230 (Experiment MSE2175) or pKR1232 and pKR1231 (Experiment MSE2176) were analyzed. The elongation activity for the five events having the highest average EPA content (average of the 5-6 embryos analyzed) are shown in Table 8.

A summary of the total delta-9 elongation activity for each event (average of 5 embryos) from MSE2175 (MaD6ES) and MSE2176 (MaD9elSHFL-4) is shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, delta-9% conversion activity (delta-9% conversion) represents the total elongation of OA, LA and ALA to all elongated products. These products include 20:1, EDA, ERA as well as the products that are derived of 20:1, EDA, ERA due to further desaturation or elongation (for example delta-8 desaturation (DGLA, ETA), delta-5 desaturation (ARA, EPA, SCI, JUP) and delta-5 elongation (DPA). Hence the delta-9% conversion activity in FIG. 6 and Table 8 is calculated as ([ERA+EDA+20:1+DGLA+ETA+ARA+EPA+SCI+JUP+DPA]/[ERA+EDA+20:1+DGLA+ETA+ARA+EPA+SCI+JUP+DPA+OA+LA+ALA]*100).

A summary of the total delta-5 elongation activity for each event (average of 5 embryos) from MSE2175 (MaD6ES) and MSE2176 (MaD9elSHFL-4) is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7 the delta-5% conversion activity (delta-5% conversion) represents the elongation of EPA to DPA and is calculated as ([DPA]/[EPA+DPA]*100).

The results for events with the highest delta-9% conversion (event 2176-5-4-1) and delta-5% conversion activity (event 2176-3-8-1) or each experiment is summarized in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Highest delta-9% conversion or delta-5% conversion activity expressed as % conversion (% Conv.) of novel Delta-9 Elongase in soybean somatic embryos. Δ5 Event Gene % Conv. 2175-2-16-1 MaD6ES 42.77 2176-3-8-1 MaD9elSHFL-4 40.27 2175-5-6-1 MaD6ES 28.19 2176-5-4-1 MaD9elSHFL-4 43.27 

What is claimed is:
 1. Soybean oil comprising cis-9-eicosenoic acid, cis-11,14-eicosadienoic acid, cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid, cis-9-octadecanoic acid, cis-9,12-octadecanoic acid, and cis-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, wherein the percent delta-9 conversion of cis-9-octadecanoic acid, cis-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, and cis-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid to cis-9-eicosenoic acid, cis-11,14-eicosadienoic acid, and cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid is 29.18%-44.55%. 